Gandour | History

1857

THE SWEET STORE

In 1857, Mahmood Gandour opens a sweet store in Beirut, Lebanon. The store is brimming with glistening displays of sweet lukum and hard candies, all made by hand on site. The business prospers, and customers flock to the store to buy Gandour’s popular treats.

1912

THe FIRST FACTORY

In the early 1900s, Mohamed Ghandour takes over the business and works to expand Gandour’s offering beyond confectionery. He introduces dry goods and food items such as flour, pasta and fats.

Ghandour sees the potential to optimize and scale production, and purchases Gandour’s very first machine. As the businesses grows, production is moved out of the store and into a modern factory constructed in 1912.
The factory is hailed as the largest confectionery plant in Lebanon.

1930

Something Sweet, for Everyone

In the 1930s, Rafic Ghandour Sr. joins the family business and introduces wafer products to the Gandour portfolio. Over the next decade, the company goes on to introduce several wafer products, followed by biscuits and molded chocolates.

1935

GANDOUR IS THRIVING

Gandour continues expanding its factories within Lebanon as its products and brands become loved by generations of consumers.

1940

The Gandour Boy Comes to Life

To reflect Gandour’s desire to integrate and support the local community and its people, the company adopts a new logo inspired by a traditional bell-boy to symbolize a passion to serve.

1945

The Gandour factory is quickly considered one of the most modern and innovative factories in the region, attracting business from a variety of countries.

1950

Chocolate Becomes Passion

Rafic Ghandour Sr. and his brothers continue to grow the business with great vision and enthusiasm. Fascinated by technology, he takes particular interest in chocolate machines and learning how each one operates.

1955

"The Music of my Machinery"

Reflecting his passion for industry, Rafic Ghandour Sr. was once asked what his favorite piece of music is. Without hesitation, he answers, “the music of my machinery.”

1958

A SERIES OF ICONIC PRODUCTS ARE Launched

This is a time of great creativity, spurred on by Rafic’s imagination and spirit. Gandour launches a series of iconic products, from Gandour Gum to Tarboosh, Unica and Lucky 555. It truly is an industrious time with lots of tasty new creations.

1970

THE BEIRUT FACTORY IS BUILT

Gandour builds a new factory in Beirut. The plant becomes an iconic symbol of modern food manufacturing– enabling Gandour to spread smiles even further.

The construction of the new plant brings great job opportunities to the area, employing close to 1,000 people.

1985

Gandour Expands in the Region

Ali Ghandour joins the family business with the aim of expanding Gandour’s reach. The company establishes two plants in Saudi Arabia, the first in 1986 and second in 1989.

1989

The Family of Brands Grows

Gandour adds a variety of new products to its already iconic portfolio including Yamama cakes, Kunuz candies and a range of chocolate brands the firmly establish Gandour as a household name in the region.