Frequently Asked Questions

General Information

The shelf life of our candy varies by product. Solid chocolate has a shelf life of up to 2 years, while most other items are best enjoyed within 1 year. Products that contain nuts are freshest when consumed within 9 months. Please refer to the Best By date on the product packaging for optimal taste.

All of our products are marked with a six-digit Best By date in the format BBMMDDYY. (For example, BB123125 would indicate a Best By date of December 31, 2025.) We recommend enjoying your treats before this date for the best quality and freshness, however, with proper storage, your chocolate will remain edible past the Best By date.

For the best results, store your chocolates in a cool, dry place—ideally around 60–70 °F—and away from direct sunlight, humidity, and strong odors. We don’t recommend refrigerating or freezing your chocolate, as this can affect its texture and appearance. For more helpful storage tips, check out our blog to keep your treats tasting their best.

The white film you see on your chocolate is known as “bloom,” and it’s perfectly safe to eat. Bloom can occur when chocolate is exposed to sudden temperature changes or stored in a humid environment, causing the cocoa butter or sugar to rise to the surface, creating a whitish or streaky appearance. While it may affect the texture and look of the chocolate, it doesn’t impact safety. Proper storage in a cool, dry place can help prevent bloom from occurring.

Yes, all of our boxed chocolates are finished with either gift wrap or a box sleeve. (Designs vary based on the time of year or holiday season.)

At this time, we do not offer tours.

Yes, we’re proud to support community events and charitable causes through product donations. To be considered, please ensure your request meets our criteria and complete our donation request form. Although we can’t fulfill every submission, we review each one carefully and will contact you directly if your donation is approved.

Our products can be found at over 3,000 retail locations across 44 states. Visit our Store Locator page and type in your zip code to find our products near you.

Candy Store and Ice Cream Parlor

At this time, we do not accept reservations. Seating in our ice cream parlor is limited and available on a first come, first served basis.

While we don’t offer formal birthday party packages, guests are always welcome to celebrate their special day at our ice cream parlor. We’re happy to be part of your celebration—just keep in mind that seating is limited and available on a first come, first served basis.

Our ice cream parlor serves a full menu of delicious ice cream treats, but we do not offer any other food items.

Yes, our store is wheelchair and handicap accessible. We’re committed to providing a welcoming and comfortable experience for all of our guests.

Yes, we’re happy to welcome tour buses and groups! While reservations aren’t required, we do appreciate a heads-up so we can be prepared to make your visit as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

We do not accept EBT or food stamps as a form of payment.

Yes, we accept both Apple Pay and Google Pay for a fast and convenient checkout experience.

Always store your ice cream cake in the freezer. When you’re ready to serve, remove your cake from the freezer and allow it to come to room temperature for at least 10 minutes. For best results, soak a knife in hot water and dry with a towel immediately before slicing.

Placing an Order

If you need to cancel or make changes to your order, please contact us immediately. Once an order is placed, it begins moving through our fulfillment process quickly, so changes or cancellations cannot be guaranteed. However, we’ll do our best to accommodate your request if the order hasn’t yet shipped.

Orders containing custom products require a minimum of 10 business days for processing and production. This allows us enough time to prepare, personalize, and package your items with the care and attention they deserve. Ordering early also helps ensure availability and on-time delivery for your special occasion.

Yes, you can choose the shipping date for your order during checkout. Please note that this is the date your order will leave our facility, not the date it will be delivered. Transit times will vary depending on the shipping method and destination.

We accept a variety of secure payment methods for online orders, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. You can also check out quickly and easily using digital wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Shop Pay.

Shipping and Store Pickup

Gardners Candies is able to ship to addresses in the continental U.S. and Canada. Special shipping rates apply to packages going to Alaska, Hawaii and Canada. Please contact customer service for more information at 800-242-2639.

As temperatures fluctuate, we may hold your order if the state you’re shipping to is experiencing temperatures above 70°F. During this time, orders are shipped out Monday through Thursday. All orders will be packed in an insulated bag with ice packs and require Expedited or Overnight shipping to prevent melting.

We guarantee that all orders will arrive in perfect condition when shipped with warm weather packaging. If there is an issue with your order, please contact our customer service team for more assistance.

We do not currently offer same-day or local delivery. All orders are shipped via UPS, FedEx, or USPS with delivery times based on your selected shipping method and destination.

We do not currently offer same-day pickup. All store and factory pick-up orders require 48 business hours for processing, plus up to 4 additional business days for delivery to your selected Gardners store.

Yes. Your selected Gardners store will call the phone number provided on the order when it is ready for pick up. For a smoother experience, please bring a copy of your email confirmation.

Bar & Rod, Online Fundraising, and Business Gifting orders may be picked up at our Tyrone Factory. Upon arrival, please stop at the main office door for assistance. For a smoother pickup experience, please have your email confirmation available.

For orders being picked up at one of our store locations, please see a store associate and provide your order information. We also recommend having your email confirmation available to help expedite the pickup process.

No. Each order can be shipped to only one address. To send items to multiple recipients or shipping destinations, please place a separate order for each address.

Orders can be expected to ship within 5 business days. Once the order is shipped, a tracking number will be sent to the email address provided on the order.

Yes, you’ll receive an order confirmation by email shortly after placing your order. If you don’t receive a confirmation, your order may not have been completed successfully. Please double-check your email’s junk or spam folder. Please contact us for assistance.

Yes, you’ll receive a shipping confirmation by email from UPS, FedEx, or USPS once your order leaves our facility. If you don’t see a shipping confirmation in your inbox, be sure to check your spam or junk folder.

Yes. We ship to P.O. boxes via USPS and ship to APO/FPO military addresses. Please allow additional time in transit for delivery to these locations.Free shipping is available for APO/FPO military addresses. Due to extended transit times, we cannot guarantee against melting or guarantee delivery by a specific date.

Allergen & Nutrition Information

Chocolate & Candy

To view ingredients and nutritional information, visit the specific product page on our website and click the “Nutrition” link located beneath the Add to Cart button.

At this time, we do not offer products that are certified kosher or halal.

Our plain milk chocolate does not contain gluten ingredients. However, it is produced in a facility that also processes products containing gluten, so we cannot guarantee that it is free from cross-contact.

All Gardners Candies products are produced in a facility where nuts are present, and while we maintain rigorous cleaning and food safety standards, cross-contamination is still possible. Even the most thorough processes cannot completely remove the risk of trace allergens. For individuals with nut allergies, we recommend exercising caution when consuming our products.

Yes, we offer sugar-free candies that are sweetened with maltitol, a commonly used sugar substitute. Maltitol provides the sweetness and texture of sugar but with fewer calories and a lower glycemic impact, making it a popular choice for those managing their sugar intake. Please note that, like other sugar alcohols, maltitol may cause digestive sensitivity in some individuals if consumed inlarge amounts.

Yes, we offer a selection of products that are certified gluten-free. While most of our chocolates contain gluten or are made in a facility where gluten is present, these specific items are made with extra care to meet gluten-free standards.

Yes. We offer products made without dairy or other animal-derived ingredients. Because these items are produced in a facility that also handles milk, there is a possibility of allergen cross-contact.
Customers with a milk allergy should carefully review the ingredient and allergen information and use their best judgment before consuming our products.

Caffeine content varies by chocolate type. Our milk chocolate contains approximately 7 mg of caffeine per ounce, while our dark chocolate contains approximately 14 mg per ounce.

If your pet has consumed chocolate, please contact your veterinarian promptly.