Chocolate Works opens first Long Island franchise

First of four new locations set to open in N.Y. and N.J. this year.

Chocolate Works' first franchise location in Long Island. Photo provided by Chocolate Works.

Life on Long Island just got a little sweeter. Chocolate Works, the burgeoning franchise concept that transforms the corner candy shop into an interactive chocolate factory experience, is opening its first Long Island franchise.

Located in Commack, N.Y. in the Peppertree Commons at 6401 Jericho Turnpike, this is the first of four new franchises set to open in N.Y. and N.J. before the end of the year.

Owners Rhonda and Chris Daniels, who just opened the doors a week ago, and plan to host an official grand opening the first weekend in October, have already signed on to open four more locations on Long Island.

"We chose to open Chocolate Works because of its solid business model and success with their already existing stores in [Valley Stream, Scarsdale, and Manhattan]," explains Rhonda Daniels. "We were also impressed with the growth and the evolution of this business, which is still family-owned and -operated."

The Chocolate Works franchise concept is the brainchild of second-generation chocolatier and owner, Joe Whaley, a West Point graduate and Iraq war veteran, whose family has been crafting and selling high quality gourmet chocolates for more than 40 years.

What sets Chocolate Works apart is its unique 3-tier model for satisfying the public's sweet tooth. The combination of chocolate and candy retail, on-site parties and workshops, and custom corporate products, offers multiple opportunities to generate revenue and community relationships.

"Most chocolate stores sell chocolate, but Chocolate Works is unique in that customers can see the process from beginning to end, even participate in it, and then get to eat it!" says Rhonda Daniels. "Having a place in the community where families and friends can come and indulge in life's little pleasures, leave their problems at the door and come together in this wonderland of sweetness...that is what we are hoping to achieve!"

Crystal Lindell, Former editor-in-chief of Candy Industry Magazine. While here she has worked on Candy Industry Magazine, Food Engineering Magazine and Food Safety Strategies. She holds a master’s degree in public affairs reporting from the University of Illinois – Springfield and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Western Illinois University. And her favorite breakfast is a cup of espresso and Twix bar.