In less than two years, Bitzel’s Chocolate has grown to become the largest custom artisan chocolate company in the Southeast. Founded by Ray Bitzel and his wife in Suwanee, the business now produces 250,000 pieces of chocolate daily from a 7,000-square-foot facility.
Ray Bitzel attributes their rapid growth to a focus on quality and authenticity. “We want our chocolate to delight our customers and make a lasting impression,” Bitzel says.
The company sources fine European chocolates such as Ruby and Gold, along with cacao beans from family farms in Ecuador and Uganda that participate in sustainability initiatives. Bitzel maintains direct relationships with these farmers to ensure high standards throughout production.
Bitzel’s Chocolate emphasizes natural ingredients, using real fruit fillings, Georgia pecans, natural sweeteners, and avoiding hydrogenated oils or artificial additives. “Consumers are becoming a lot more knowledgeable about what they’re eating and where it comes from,” Bitzel explains. “We create chocolate that not only tastes amazing but is made the right way.”
Ray Bitzel’s background as a mechanical engineer has shaped the company’s operations. He describes the business as “really more of a technology firm that makes chocolate.” The facility uses over 40 machines—such as thermal formers, resin printers, UV printers, and specialty Italian equipment—to produce detailed custom molds quickly. “Everything about our business is purpose-built for quality, precision and speed. We can make any custom mold and fulfill your order within three days — whether it’s replicating the Porsche logo in intricate detail, creating 10,000 chocolate tomahawks for the Braves or designing anything you can imagine,” he says.
Bitzel’s serves both retail customers at its Suwanee storefront and corporate clients including Fortune 500 companies, airlines, hotels, and entertainment venues. The company already ships products across North America and to the Bahamas, with plans to expand into Europe.
With many businesses seeking holiday gifts for clients or employees, Bitzel notes: “Velvety-smooth chocolate personalized with your logo and distinctive packaging makes people happy and makes them remember you. Many recipients post photos of their chocolate gifts on social media, turning each gift into built-in marketing for the giver.”
Bitzel credits Gwinnett Chamber leaders for supporting their rapid factory buildout. “From city planners to fire marshals, the Gwinnett Chamber connected us with the right people so we could get our factory built in just eight weeks,” he says. “As we look to expand, we continue to appreciate the pro-business environment and network in this area.”
