# Fran's Chocolates

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Fran's_Chocolates
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Fran's_Chocolates.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran's_Chocolates
> Source revision: 1354033788
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

**Fran's Chocolates**, or **Fran's**, is a chocolate company founded by Fran Bigelow and based in [Seattle, Washington](/source/Seattle,_Washington). The company is best known for their salted chocolate-covered caramels.[2][3][4] Fran's Chocolates has locations in the [Seattle metropolitan area](/source/Seattle_metropolitan_area) and throughout [Japan](/source/Japan).[5]

## History

Fran Bigelow was born and raised in Seattle and trained as an accountant.[6] She graduated from the [University of Washington](/source/University_of_Washington) in 1965 with a degree in business administration and travelled to [France](/source/France) with her husband about five years later.[7] Her husband was a hospital administrator, and his career required them to move to [San Francisco](/source/San_Francisco).[6] Bigelow enrolled in professional cooking classes at [California Culinary Academy](/source/California_Culinary_Academy), where she apprenticed with a Swiss pastry chef.[6][8][9] In 1980, they returned to Seattle, and in 1982 she began selling [chocolate truffles](/source/Chocolate_truffles) and desserts from a small shop in Seattle’s [Madison Park](/source/Madison_Park,_Seattle) neighborhood.[8][9] There were two employees at the original shop and the truffles were originally priced at 35 cents each.[7] Eventually, she developed the store's signature Gold Bars because she wanted a candy that was not as perishable as the truffles. The Gold Bars quickly became a customer favorite, and by 1996 she was selling nearly 500,000 Gold Bars a year.[6] In 1986, Bigelow began making [caramels](/source/Caramels).[7]

In 1998, she began adding gray salt to the caramels.[3][10][11] By 2006, the caramels made up seventy-five percent of the company's sales, and by 2008 the caramels were the bestseller, partly due to publicity from former [President Barack Obama](/source/President_Barack_Obama) and First Lady [Michelle Obama](/source/Michelle_Obama).[3][12] In 2006, Fran's was featured in *[O, The Oprah Magazine](/source/O,_The_Oprah_Magazine)* and the company consequently reached a record $4.5 million sales for the year.[4][7] By 2007, Fran's had forty employees, and Bigelow's daughter, Andrina, joined the company.[7][13] In 2008, Fran's opened a location in [Downtown Seattle](/source/Downtown_Seattle) in the [Four Seasons](/source/Four_Seasons_Hotels_%26_Resorts) hotel.[14] The Downtown location would take over as the flagship store.[14]

In 2014, the company moved its headquarters from the [Capitol Hill](/source/Capitol_Hill,_Seattle) neighborhood to the historic [Rainier Brewing Company](/source/Rainier_Brewing_Company) building in the [Georgetown](/source/Georgetown,_Seattle) neighborhood.[15] At the time, the company had 67 employees and was making 30,000 pieces of chocolate per day and shipping regularly across the United States and to [Japan](/source/Japan).[15] In 2018, she was inducted into the [Specialty Food Association](/source/Specialty_Food_Association) Hall of Fame for "sparking the artisan chocolate renaissance in the United States".[16] In 2021, [Food & Wine](/source/Food_%26_Wine) named Fran's one of the top 50 chocolate shops in the United States.[17]

In December 2025, Fran's almondmilk chocolate which they introduced into the market with undisclosed allergen contents was recalled following a report of allergic reaction report from a consumer. It contained undisclosed hazelnuts, which can cause serious or life threatening reactions for people with allergies to hazelnuts.[18][19][20]

## Book

In 2004, Bigelow published a book, *Pure Chocolate: Divine Desserts and Sweets from the Creator of Fran’s Chocolates*, which she co-authored with Helene Siegel.[21][22] The book contains chocolate recipes that are not "too difficult" to make.[23] It was nominated for 2005 [James Beard Foundation Award](/source/James_Beard_Foundation_Award) in the Baking and Desserts category.[24]

## Awards

- 2003 Confection of the Year, [National Association for the Specialty Food Trade](/source/National_Association_for_the_Specialty_Food_Trade), gray salt caramels[23][12]
- 2005 NASFT Award, Smoked Salt Caramels
- 2007 [Sofi Award](/source/Sofi_Award) Finalist: Outstanding Chocolate, Hazelnut Diamonds[25]
- 2007 [Sofi Award](/source/Sofi_Award): Outstanding Hot Beverage, Fran’s Premium Hot Chocolate[26]
- 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award, Northwest Chocolate Festival
- 2014 Sofi Award, Gray Salt Caramel
- 2016 Mott Green Sustainability Award
- 2017 Sofi Award, Almond Gold Bar
- 2017 [Good Food Award](/source/Good_Food_Award), Almond Gold Bar
- 2017 Northwest Chocolate Festival Award Winner, Fran's Park Bar
- 2018 Good Food Award, Dark Chocolate Sauce[27]
- 2018 Good Food Award, Caramel Sauce[27]
- "The country's best overall chocolatier in the United States" by *The Book of Chocolate*[14]

## In popular culture

Fran's was featured in Season 1, Episode 22 of *Food Finds*, which aired on the [Food Network](/source/Food_Network) in May 2002.[28] The company was also featured on Food Network's *The Best Thing I Ever Ate: Season's Eatings*.[29]

Former [President Obama](/source/President_Obama) and [Michelle Obama](/source/Michelle_Obama) occasionally had the chocolates shipped to the White House.[12][30][31][32] Bigelow donated to Obama's campaign and was able to meet Michelle Obama.[32] Michelle Obama sent Fran's caramels to [Barbara Walters](/source/Barbara_Walters) and the cast of *[The View](/source/The_View_(talk_show))* as a thank you for her recent appearance.[32]

## References

1. Levesque, John (June 2018). ["Made in Washington: Fran's Chocolates"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210508231633/https://seattlebusinessmag.com/manufacturing/made-washington-frans-chocolates). Seattle Business Magazine. Archived from [the original](https://seattlebusinessmag.com/manufacturing/made-washington-frans-chocolates) on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2021.

1. ["Chocolate Champions"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210509203025/https://www.foodandwine.com/news/chocolate-champions). Food & Wine. March 31, 2015. Archived from [the original](https://www.foodandwine.com/news/chocolate-champions) on 9 May 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2021.

1. Muhlke, Christine (October 8, 2006). ["The Way We Eat: Salt With a Deadly Weapon"](https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/08/magazine/08food.html). *The New York Times*. Retrieved 8 May 2021.

1. Denn, Rebekah (February 5, 2008). ["Seattle's chocolate is golden these days"](https://www.seattlepi.com/lifestyle/food/article/Seattle-s-chocolate-is-golden-these-days-1263602.php). Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved 8 May 2021.

1. Hasegawa, Aya (February 3, 2021). ["A gem only for now, made by a chocolate specialty store"](https://www.vogue.co.jp/lifestyle/article/2021-valentine-chocolatier). Vogue Japan. Retrieved 8 May 2021.

1. Fabricant, Florence (August 14, 1996). ["Building a Business With Bars of Gold"](https://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/14/garden/building-a-business-with-bars-of-gold.html). *The New York Times*. Retrieved 8 May 2021.

1. Harris, Craig (March 20, 2011). ["Chocolate lovers nationwide are discovering Fran's, a Seattle favorite"](https://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/Chocolate-lovers-nationwide-are-discovering-1227979.php). Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved 8 May 2021.

1. ["Interview with Fran's Chocolates"](https://www.ecolechocolat.com/en/chocolatiers/Frans-Chocolates.html). *Ecole Chocolat*. Retrieved 8 May 2021.

1. ["Profile: Fran Fare"](https://seattlemag.com/article/profile-fran-fare). Seattle Magazine. April 2009. Retrieved 8 May 2021.

1. ["A Rich Selection"](https://www.forbes.com/forbes-life-magazine/2006/1211/162a.html?sh=2fe5a69cd80e). *Forbes*. December 2, 2006. Retrieved 8 May 2021.

1. Slatalla, Michelle (December 7, 2006). ["How to Ensure a Sincere Thank You"](https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/07/fashion/07Online.html). *The New York Times*. Retrieved 8 May 2021.

1. Severson, Kim (December 30, 2008). ["How Caramel Developed a Taste for Salt"](https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/31/dining/31cara.html). *New York Times*. Retrieved 8 May 2021.

1. Buxton, Elizabeth (May 10, 2018). ["These Mother-Daughter Duos Are Food Industry Power Players"](https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/mother-daughter-owned-restaurants). Refinery29. Retrieved 8 May 2021.

1. ["Fran's Chocolates to open in Four Seasons"](https://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/Fran-s-Chocolates-to-open-in-Four-Seasons-1263946.php). Seattle Post-Intelligencer. February 8, 2008. Retrieved 8 May 2021.

1. Payne, Patti (September 22, 2014). ["Fran's Chocolates moves into historic Georgetown building"](https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/2014/09/frans-chocolates-moves-into-historic-georgetown.html). Puget Sound Business Journal. Retrieved 8 May 2021.

1. ["2018 Hall of Fame Recipients"](https://www.specialtyfood.com/awards/hall-fame/2018-hall-fame-recipients/). Specialty Food Association. Retrieved 8 May 2021.

1. Landsel, David (April 2, 2021). ["The Best Chocolate in America"](https://www.foodandwine.com/lifestyle/best-chocolate-shops-america). Food & Wine. Retrieved 8 May 2021.

1. ["Popular Chocolates Recalled Just Ahead of the Holidays Over Safety Concerns"](https://whatnow.com/seattle/local-news/popular-chocolates-recalled-just-ahead-of-the-holidays-over-safety-concerns/). 2025-12-22. Retrieved 2025-12-22.

1. Investigations, Office of Inspections and (2025-12-20). ["Fran’s Chocolates, LTD. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Hazelnuts in Fran’s Pure Bar AlmondMilk Chocolate 46% Madagascar Plant-Based Product"](https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/frans-chocolates-ltd-issues-allergy-alert-undeclared-hazelnuts-frans-pure-bar-almondmilk-chocolate). *www.fda.gov*. Retrieved 2025-12-22.

1. ["Fran’s Chocolates, LTD. Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Hazelnuts in Fran’s Pure Bar AlmondMilk Chocolate 46% Madagascar Plant-Based Product | Food Poisoning News"](https://www.foodpoisoningnews.com/frans-chocolates-ltd-issues-allergy-alert-on-undeclared-hazelnuts-in-frans-pure-bar-almondmilk-chocolate-46-madagascar-plant-based-product/). 2025-12-20. Retrieved 2025-12-22.

1. ["Picks and Pans Review: Dessert"](https://people.com/archive/picks-and-pans-review-dessert-vol-62-no-21/). People. November 22, 2004. Retrieved 8 May 2021.

1. Heddings, Kate (March 31, 2015). ["The Very Best Cookbooks of 2004"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210510144700/https://www.foodandwine.com/news/the-very-best-cookbooks-of-2004). Food & Wine. Archived from [the original](https://www.foodandwine.com/news/the-very-best-cookbooks-of-2004) on 10 May 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2021.

1. Chou, Hsiao-Ching (March 14, 2015). ["A Moment With Confectioner Fran Bigelow"](https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/A-moment-with-confectioner-Fran-Bigelow-1121557.php). Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved 8 May 2021.

1. ["Fran Bigelow"](https://www.jamesbeard.org/awards/search?year=&keyword=fran+bigelow). *James Beard Foundation*. Retrieved 8 May 2021.

1. ["sofi awards: outstanding chocolate 2007"](https://www.specialtyfood.com/news/article/sofi-awards-outstanding-chocolate-2007/). *Specialty Food Association*. Retrieved 8 May 2021.

1. ["sofi awards: outstanding hot beverage 2007"](https://www.specialtyfood.com/news/article/sofi-awards-outstanding-hot-beverage-2007/). *Specialty Food Association*. Retrieved 8 May 2021.

1. ["2018 Winners"](https://goodfoodfdn.org/awards/winners/2018/). Good Food Awards. Retrieved 8 May 2021.

1. ["Seattle"](https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/food-finds/episodes/seattle). *Food Network*. Retrieved 8 May 2021.

1. Ausley, Christina (December 11, 2020). ["Calling all chocoholics: Seattle's 15 best shops for holiday confections"](https://www.seattlepi.com/lifestyle/food/slideshow/best-places-in-seattle-for-holiday-chocolates-213747.php). Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved 8 May 2021.

1. ["Obama's Likes and Dislikes: Hold the Mayo"](https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/27/us/politics/27likes.html?ref=politics). *New York Times*. May 27, 2008. Retrieved 8 May 2021.

1. Leson, Nancy & Spencer, Aaron (May 27, 2008). ["Obama loves Fran's"](https://www.seattletimes.com/life/food-drink/obama-loves-frans/). Seattle Times. Retrieved 8 May 2021.

1. Guzman, Monica (July 18, 2008). ["How the Obamas fell for Seattle's Fran's Chocolates"](https://blog.seattlepi.com/thebigblog/2008/07/18/how-the-obamas-fell-for-seattles-frans-chocolates/). Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved 8 May 2021.

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Fran's Chocolates](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran's_Chocolates) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran's_Chocolates?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.