R. Torre & Company, Inc.
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food & Beverage, Consumer Packaged Goods |
| Founded | 1925 |
| Founder |
|
| Headquarters | San Leandro, CA , San Leandro, CA |
Key people | Melanie Dulbecco (CEO) |
| Products | Flavoring Syrups & Sauces |
Number of employees | 300+ |
| Website | www |
R. Torre & Company, Inc., or Torani, is a Bay Area based flavoring syrup and sauce company, founded in 1925 by husband and wife Rinaldo and Ezilda Torre.
In 1925 the Torres immigrated from Lucca, Italy to the North Beach neighborhood of San Francisco. Mixing flavor with sparkling water in the 20's, they introduced the classic Italian soda to local cafes, and soon began selling Torani Syrups from their Italian wholesale grocery. Torani's first flavors were Anisette, Grenadine, Lemon, Orgeat or Almond, and Tamarindo.
In 1933, when the Prohibition ended, Ezilda Torre became one of the first rectifiers of distilled spirits in the US, leading Torani with products like California Vermouth through the Great Depression and WWII. In 1957, the Torres' son-in-law, Harry Lucheta, took over the business and oversaw Torani's growth from a local San Francisco business to an international brand. Torani is additionally credited with creating the world's first flavored latte in 1982, combining flavor with espresso and steamed milk, now a widely celebrated cafe drink. Now, Torani can be found globally in cafes, drink shops, various retail stores and consumers' homes. [1][2]
Torani is currently owned by Paul Lucheta and Lisa Lucheta, grandchildren of the founders Rinaldo and Ezilda Torre and led by CEO, Melanie Dulbecco. The company employs over 300 people. From the late 1990s until March 2020, Torani's headquarters, which include both its business offices and manufacturing facilities, were located in South San Francisco, California, until a March 2020 move to San Leandro during the COVID-19 pandemic.[3]
Torani is a certified B Corporation that prides itself on furthering its mission of creating Flavor for All and Opportunity for All in the community. Dedicated to helping its team members, partners and community thrive, Torani has become an opportunity-oriented organization while creating high quality, delicious and versatile flavor.
References
[edit]- ^ Spear, Peggy (December 30, 2009). "Say 'Felice Anno Nuovo' with Italian Sodas". San Jose Mercury News. Archived from the original on 2017-05-01. Retrieved 2022-07-12.
- ^ Goldstein, Carrie (June 3, 1998). "Torani Keeps It Sweet and Sticky". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved January 16, 2010.
- ^ Wallace, Alicia (October 5, 2020). "This 95-year-old flavored syrup company found a sweet spot during the pandemic: Your Kitchen". CNN Business.
External links
[edit]- Drink companies based in California
- Food manufacturers of the United States
- Manufacturing companies based in San Francisco
- Food and drink in the San Francisco Bay Area
- 1925 establishments in California
- Food and drink companies based in California
- Certified B Corporations in the Food & Beverage Industry
- Food and drink companies established in 1925