The Sweet William story begins with an authentic Willy Wonker-style chocolate factory which started manufacturing chocolate in the 1920s, in Redfern, Sydney. In the late 1990s, with 70 years of experience under their belt, this Redfern chocolate factory developed an innovative soy chocolate recipe to add to their repertoire, and it was this recipe that caught the attention of the Sweet William founders.
In 1999, the founders of Sweet William bought the long running Redfern chocolate factory and decided to concentrate solely on the production of soy chocolate to meet the growing market demand for dairy free foods and the new trend towards healthier products. The business then began trading as the Soy Chocolate Company.
By 2004 the Soy Chocolate Company had found a niche market in products catering to a range of dietary allergies and intolerances. To expand their reach beyond just dairy free, the business decided to convert all manufacturing to ‘Gluten Free’ and then later to ‘Nut Free’. As part of this process, the business name changed over to Sweet William, which was the previous name of the boutique chocolate shop connected to the original Redfern chocolate factory.
As the business grew, the Sweet William factory was relocated out to Matraville, Sydney, where it continues to manufacture all products today. In 2022 Sweet William reformulated all products to remove soy from our recipes and our factory, working toward soon being able to make a 'soy free' claim and becoming the only Australian made chocolate to be free from all 9 major allergens.
In 2005, Sweet William launched its first ‘No Added Sugar’ chocolate, all naturally sweetened with Stevia. Sweet William now produces a wide range of chocolate bars, blocks, snack size, spreads and cooking chocolate for retail sale and bulk food service. The Sweet William factory continues as a totally dedicated ‘Dairy Free’, ‘Gluten Free’ and ‘Nut Free’ facility.
Sweet William products can be found Australia wide in leading supermarkets, department stores, health food stores and pharmacies. Sweet William also exports internationally to New Zealand, South-East Asia and the Middle East.
FAQ's
We’ve always believed “free from” shouldn’t mean missing out. That’s why we continue to innovate, whether it’s launching no added sugar options or working towards removing all major allergens. It’s a commitment to doing things properly, so our chocolate delivers on both taste and peace of mind.
As more people began looking for alternatives to traditional chocolate, we saw an opportunity to do things differently. By focusing on dairy-free and allergy-friendly recipes early on, Sweet William carved out a space for chocolate that’s not only inclusive, but genuinely enjoyable, created with the same care and craft as traditional chocolate.
What began as a traditional chocolate factory in Sydney has evolved into a brand focused entirely on “free from” chocolate. Over time, we’ve refined our recipes and processes to remove common allergens. First dairy, then gluten and nuts, and more recently soy, so more people can enjoy chocolate without compromise.
All Sweet William products are free from dairy, eggs, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, fish, crustacean shellfish and sesame.
Our vegan, dairy-free, nut-free, gluten-free status is backed by strict processes at every level. All ingredient suppliers are carefully screened, our team follows rigorous production procedures, and we regularly send batch samples for independent allergen testing. Our processes are backed by globally recognised food safety standards This ensures our products consistently meet our brand promise.
Sweet William chocolate is made without dairy, so it does have a slightly different flavour profile to conventional milk chocolate. Our chocolate is rich, smooth, and genuinely satisfying. It snaps, it melts in your mouth and it tastes like real chocolate - because it is!
No. All Sweet William chocolate is free from preservatives, GMO ingredients and artificial colours and flavours. Our ‘No Added Sugar’ range is naturally sweetened with Stevia, with no artificial sweeteners used.
We use plant-based ingredients such as tapioca starch and rice flour to achieve the same smooth texture and rich flavour as traditional milk chocolate—without any dairy.
You can shop directly through our website for the full range of chocolate:
You can locate your nearest stockist here. Our range is also available in most Coles and Woolworths stores, as well as selected IGAs.
Yes, we offer delivery across Australia so you can enjoy our chocolate wherever you are.
Please always check individual product ingredient lists for any allergens or sensitivities specific to your needs.