Two former machinists and one big change in life. The Jordan Chocolate Factory is proof that if you have a desire to create, a sense of quality and an openness to learning new things, you can build a brand that tastes good – literally. Today, chocolate candies are made in Děčín and are sold to customers all over the country, to companies, luxury hotels and prestigious stores. The story of the graduates of our Platinn program shows how important the right support can play in business.

History that has not disappeared

The Jordan Chocolate Factory is based not only on the skills of its founders, but also on a history that began in Děčín in the mid-19th century. It was here, in Podmokle, that the Dresden chocolate factory Jordan & Timaeus opened its branch in 1854 - at the time one of the first of its kind in Central Europe.

The Jordan & Timaeus brand also became famous because one of the first milk chocolates in Europe was produced on its premises, making the company ahead of its time and making its mark in the history of chocolate craftsmanship.

After World War II, production ceased and the tradition fell silent for decades. Although the well-known Diana chocolate factory operated in Děčín after the war, it was taken over by Nestlé after the revolution and privatization, but it later also ceased operations there. Today, Čokoládovna Jordan symbolically returns to the chocolate tradition – again in Děčín, again by hand, again with an emphasis on quality and honesty. It is not a direct continuation of the original factory, but a modern story that honors the same values – attention to detail, respect for raw materials and a desire to do things properly.

From corporate to chocolate

For Jordan Chocolate Factory Today, there are two men with a technical background and experience in production who decided to make a fundamental change. The first of them is Jaroslav Vaňkát, who had experience with chocolate production technologies and machines and, together with his wife, began to build the foundations of the brand. A little later, Martin Čekal, who had worked in a corporate environment until then, joined. When the turning point came, he left his stable position and embarked on a completely new world - the world of chocolate. By combining their skills, they continued the heritage of the Děčín chocolate tradition and began to write its new chapter.

Because marketing was not their domain, the desire to create and move the brand forward led them to the Innovation Center of the Ústí nad Labem Region (ICUK) and the program Platinum, in which they found exactly what they needed – support, an experienced expert, and a safe space to grow.

ICUK Platinn is an expert program for small and medium-sized companies from the Ústí nad Labem region, which helps them develop their business, increase their competitiveness or solve specific problems through experienced specialists. It offers practical support and tailored strategic advice - and that is exactly what the chocolate factory needed at the time.

The first step? Learn to talk to the customer

Cooperation with ICUK helped Jordan Chocolate Company breathe life into its production. With the help of a marketing expert, they began working on a new visual style, redesigned their logo, improved their website and e-shop, and learned how to write about their products in a way that would appeal not only to the taste but also to the word.

"When we started, the last update on the website was three years old. Today we have a blog, we write posts on social networks and give our brand a clearer face," says Martin Čekal. Thanks to the creative voucher, financial support from the Just Transformation Operational Program, they were able to develop a marketing strategy, process content and design a new way to reach customers.

Every candy has its own story.

Handmade, own recipes and a precise approach. This is the basic philosophy of the Jordan Chocolate Factory. They use high-quality Belgian chocolate, thanks to which they achieve a consistent taste and structure. They prepare the fillings themselves - for example, sour cherries are first manually pickled in alcohol, where they mature for at least a year. The result is pralines that have a character and a taste that is unforgettable.

But it's not just about candies. The Děčín chocolate factory also produces limited editions, products for corporate clients, or so-called white label chocolates for luxury hotels. And even though they still handle most orders through their brick-and-mortar store, their e-shop is growing and has great potential.

Growth that makes sense

It didn't happen quickly and it didn't happen without work. But it turned out that if you have a strong product, an open mind and the right partners, you can build a brand with a name even from a small factory. Today, Čokoladovna Jordan processes over six tons of chocolate a year. Their candies are not only about recipes, but also dozens of hours of tuning, testing and manual work.

Mr. Čekal concludes our meeting with the words: “"A box of chocolates shouldn't be eaten alone. It should be shared." And perhaps that is the most apt metaphor for their business – sharing the taste, craftsmanship, and joy that good chocolate can bring.