Kyya Chocolate invests $225,000 to feed growth

Bean-to-bar chocolate maker Kyya Chocolate recently doubled its manufacturing capacity with the acquisition of a second facility near its current headquarters in Elm Springs.

Combined with the purchase of four additional conches (chocolate-making machines), the company’s capacity is now an estimated 4,800 pounds of chocolate each month in various forms. The company can now produce 28 tons of chocolate annually, more than double its previous capability.

Co-owner Rick Boosey said Kyya is projecting a 50% annual growth in year-over-year sales.

“We’re not kids anymore,” he said. “We’re growing faster than most chocolate makers in the country.”

The cost of the building acquisition, renovation and upgrades was $225,000. The purchase price of the four conches was not disclosed.

The company’s total manufacturing space is now about 6,000 square feet. Some manufacturing will say at the current facility at 337 Main St., but its primary use now will be for retail sales, classes and school tours to demonstrate the production process.

The new facility will be used for chocolate bar, syrup and bonbon production.

Kyya was founded in 2012 as the first bean-to-bar chocolate maker in Arkansas and now employs 16 people, up from 10 less than a year ago. Its products are sold in more than 180 retail locations in Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Kansas, and online at kyyachocolate.com.