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Alyse Thompson-Richards

Alyse Thompson-Richards has held many positions with BNP Media, first serving as an intern at Candy Industry magazine in summer 2012. She joined Candy Industry's staff full time as associate editor in August 2016 after a few years at newspapers in West-Central Illinois, becoming managing editor in March 2019. Alyse has also served as managing editor of Cannabis Products magazine since March 2019, and is currently the editor-in-chief of Food Engineeering magazine. She has bachelor’s degrees in journalism and Spanish from Western Illinois University.

Articles

ARTICLES

Windy City Sweets creates niche with nostalgia, neighborhood connection

Chicago sweet shop forges connection through quality, giving back.

Alyse Thompson-Richards

August 10, 2017

John and Jill Manchester weren’t looking to buy a candy store when they sought a new business opportunity in 2011, but it was a match made in heaven.

One-on-One: Matthew Piekarski, Hexx Chocolate

Las Vegas bean-to-bar chocolate operation focuses on education customers.

Alyse Thompson-Richards

August 10, 2017

The goal, Executive Chef Matthew Piekarski says, is to open customers to the chocolate-making process while entertaining them.

Federal judge tosses mislabeling class-action suit against See’s Candy Shops

Plaintiff failed to show sales of mislabeled candies exceeded $5 million.

Alyse Thompson-Richards

August 9, 2017

A California federal judge has thrown out an 18-month-old class-action suit against See’s Candy Shops, Inc., alleging the company had mislabeled some Valentine’s Day candy as kosher.

Sugarfina raises $35 million to expand retail, online business

Company plans to expand internationally in 2018.

Alyse Thompson-Richards

August 9, 2017

Pop a few champagne gummy bears — Sugarfina has a reason to celebrate. Private equity firm Great Hill Partners has invested $35 million in the Los Angeles-based confectionery brand, bringing Sugarfina’s total funding to more than $50 million.

Chuao California Collective

Chuao Chocolatier, Carlsbad, Calif.

Alyse Thompson-Richards

August 9, 2017

Chuao Chocolatier, maker of culinary-driven, Fair Trade-certified chocolate, has launched the California Collective, a decadent line of chocolate bars embodying the essence of California living.

New products we’re excited to see at the August 2017 ECRM Candy Planning show

Show set for Aug. 13-17 at Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Fla.

Alyse Thompson-Richards

August 8, 2017

ECRM’s upcoming Candy Planning: Everyday & Summer Seasonal EPPS is just the place to find out what treats and trends will be hot over the next year, and Candy Industry can’t wait to see the products debuting at the show!

‘Your honor, cut us some slack!’

Judges allow class-action lawsuits involving slack-fill to move forward.

Alyse Thompson-Richards

August 2, 2017

Appearances matter. As clichė as it is, that idea came to mind when I learned two U.S. District Court judges had last week denied motions by Just Born, Inc. and Ferrara Candy Co. to dismiss separate theater-box slack-fill lawsuits brought against the candy companies this year.

Godiva appoints former Starbucks exec as ceo

CEO Mohamed Elsarky stepping down to pursue other projects.

Alyse Thompson-Richards

August 2, 2017

Godiva will soon have a new ceo. Annie Young-Scrivner will take the helm of the global premium chocolate brand Sept. 14, succeeding Mohamed Elsarky, who is stepping down after seven years to pursue other projects, the company said in a news release.