BBX Capital Corp. has acquired Williams & Bennett, which is known for its chocolate-drenched products, such as chocolate-drenched Oreos.

BBX Capital Corp. has, through a subsidiary, acquired Williams & Bennett, a Florida-based manufacturer of quality chocolate products.

The employees at Williams & Bennett will not be affected by the transition though, says Jarett Levan, BBX Capital’s president.

“Bill and Becky Gardner, the founders of Williams & Bennett will remain involved and will continue to run the company,” Levan says. As for the workers, “We have no plans to reduce staff. In fact, with expected higher production we anticipate adding staff over time.”

Headquartered in Boynton Beach, Fla., Williams & Bennett  manufactures quality chocolate products and serves boutique retailers, big box chains, department stores, national resort properties, corporate customers, and private label brands.

“For over twenty years, Williams & Bennett has built a premier brand of chocolate products and confections through well-defined distribution channels,” says Levan.

Since 1992, Williams & Bennett has built a reputation of branded chocolate-drenched products including: Belgian-chocolate drenched Oreocookies, Bavarian pretzels, Nutter Butter cookies, marshmallows, graham crackers and other confectionery products.  Williams & Bennett offers the chocolate creations in distinctive collectible packaging for all occasions.

“We are thrilled to have found a partner with the resources and experience to grow the Williams & Bennett brand,” say Becky and Bill Gardner.

In December 2013, BBX Capital announced that it had acquired Hoffman’s Chocolate, and its subsidiaries Boca Bons and Good Fortunes, which provides premier chocolate products with a product line of more than 70 varieties of confections.

Recently, BBX Capital formed BBX Sweet Holdings, a 100-percent owned subsidiary to own and hold both these acquisitions.

“We acquired both of these businesses because they’re very strong, decade-old brands. They provide a high quality, tasty, well-presented product and we really like the premium chocolate and confectionary market,” Levan says.

These acquisitions, in addition to the Bluegreen acquisition completed in April 2013 and Renin Holdings consummated in Nov. 2013, are part of BBX Capital’s strategy to acquire and invest in high quality operating businesses.

According to Levan, BBX Capital is inquisitive and isn’t done expanding into the premium chocolate and confectionery space.

“We are attending the Fancy Food Show in San Francisco and our objective is to look for other opportunities,” he says.