The Story of KitKat®

KitKat® History - Our Story

The Beginning

In the 1930s, British confectionery company Rowntree's founded KitKat® in the United Kingdom. The vision was to create a chocolate bar that could be consumed on-the-go without creating a mess, which lead to the birth of KitKat®.

In 1935, a heartwarming treat named "Rowntree's Chocolate Crisp" hit the shelves in stores around the United Kingdom. This delectable snack consisted of layers of wafer cake, covered in creamy milk chocolate. Fast forward to now, and we all know and love it as Nestle KitKat®. This somewhat simple name was derived from the Kit Kat Club, an exclusive 18th-century club for the elite in London. The name was chosen to add a hint of sophistication and grandness to this sweet and smooth snack.

When the 1950s came, the KitKat® brand was distributed to the Commonwealth countries such as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Rhodesia and Canada, where Rowntree had already established a presence. To date, KitKat® remains the first choice when needing a quick nibble.

With the help of four TV advertisements and a press campaign, Donald Gillies of the London-based advertising agency JWT initially introduced the catchphrase "Have a break, have a Kit Kat" in 1958. This catchy slogan promoted KitKat® as the ultimate snack for taking a break and relaxing, even if it is just for a few seconds or minutes, while you savour the explosion of the various ingredients in your mouth.

The Big Break

In the 1980s, Nestlé, a Swiss multinational food and beverage company, acquired Rowntree's, the original producer of KitKat®. Since then, Nestlé has taken over manufacturing and distribution of this popular snack, leading to its widespread global availability. Currently, KitKat® is sold in over 80 countries and is one of the most popular chocolate bars worldwide. Through the years, Nestlé has released a variety of KitKat® flavors to cater to different tastes and preferences to the extent of having vegan and halaal options in some countries.

Need A Break ?

KitKat® has a variety of flavours, ranging from Chunky to Senses, and even Dark and Mini versions.

KitKat's packaging has become the ultimate trademark of the brand, with its bold red and white shades and the iconic line, "Have a Break, Have a KitKat®."

Nestlé KitKat® has been a well-loved and favoured chocolate bar throughout its existence, well-known for its delightful blend of crispy wafers and smooth milk chocolate. It has become a classic snack enjoyed by people of all ages and races, thanks to its innovative concepts, world class ingredients, and successful marketing techniques, which have all contributed to its long-term triumph.

KitKat® has never been more relevant than it is now, especially in our busy and forever changing world, when combined with the straightforward advice to "Have a break, have a Kit Kat."