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History of Godiva. What does a naked lady on a horse have to do with making chocolate? Immerse yourself in Godiva's rich history and learn how exquisite craftmanship and popular legend blended to make the story of Godiva truly unique.
Beginnings in Brussels

Photo of the Draps familyoutside their home in Brussels, Belgium.Over 75 years ago, Godiva began as a small praline-making business run by the Draps family out of their home in Brussels, Belgium. The company was called Chocolaterie Draps until Joseph Draps decided he wanted to produce a more exclusive chocolate and open up a chocolate shop. One of the first Godiva shops still stands in the beautiful, historic Grand Place in Brussels.

What's in a name?

An illustration of Lady Godiva riding her horse. Godiva chocolates were named after Lady Godiva.Draps selected the name Godiva for his chocolate company. His inspiration came from the well-known Saxon legend of Lady Godiva who rode unclothed through the streets of Coventry to entreat her husband, Leofric the Dane, to lower taxes.Her courage prevailed, and in Europe she was celebrated in countless works of art. Little did Joseph Draps realize that over time his chocolate would become as legendary as the lady herself.

Coming to America

A photo of two ladies looking into the window of a Godiva store in America in the 1960's.In 1966, the Draps family came into contact with the American company Campbell Soup Company, which acquired one-third of a stake in Godiva that year. Thus, the American operation of the company was the first to introduce premium chocolate to the American palette. By 1968, Godiva Chocolatier, Inc., had begun domestic production, using the exclusive Belgian recipes.

Godiva Today
A photo of two Godiva chocolatiers.The company has continued to grow and expand over the years. The U.S. plant in Reading, PA, now produces the same amount of chocolate for the U.S. market as the Belgian plant produces for the rest of the world. There are now over 270 Retail locations as well as over 2000 Wholesale doors. In addition to retail and production, Godiva runs a direct business (www.godiva.com  and 1-800-9-Godiva) and a wholesale merchandising sales force across the country. Godiva's world headquarters are located in Midtown Manhattan.

08/05/2008 - Retail District Manager Position available in Minnesota.

Retail Store Manager positions available in
Miami, FL, Lynnwood, WA, Edison, NJ, Naples, FL, Canoga Park, CA and many other locations.


Corporate positions available:

Tax and Financial Analyst, Wyomissing, PA
Financial Analyst-Wholesale, New York, NY
HR Manager, Benefits, Wyomissing, PA
Compensation Analyst, Wyomissing, PA
Maintenance Supervisor, Reading, PA
IT Manager, Wyomissing, PA


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"When Godiva sees talent, they like to say: OK, what else can this person do?"

Wholesale Customer Service Manager, Reading, PA


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