Butlers Chocolates Cafe Stores Exit New Zealand Market
The franchise operating Butlers Chocolate Cafes in New Zealand has ceased operations across its five locations, entering voluntary liquidation in July. This closure marks an end to 18 years of the Irish chocolate and café chain's presence in the Aotearoa market, underscoring significant pressures faced by premium hospitality ventures in the current economic climate.
The decision to liquidate was driven by a critical confluence of factors. Reports indicated a surge in raw material costs, particularly for cocoa and coffee, which significantly eroded profitability. These cost increases were described as unprecedented, aligning with broader industry trends of sustained high global commodity prices for these key inputs throughout 2024 and 2025.
Within the broader New Zealand chocolate confectionery market, the closure of premium café chain Butlers has triggered a shift in competitive dynamics. The brand’s share of the DTC channel dropped sharply—to a low single-digit share by the end of the first half of 2025, compared to September 2024 when their share was considerably higher.