Draft:Loco Love
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Comment: Note to reviewers: There is a COI here, but it appears to have been declared properly. See User:Cocoatloco. Commandant Quacks-a-lot (talk) 13:48, 6 July 2026 (UTC)
Loco Love is an Australian chocolate manufacturer based in Byron Bay, New South Wales.[1]. Founded in 2012 by naturopath and entrepreneur Emica Penklis, the company manufactures premium chocolate products within the health-food sector using organic, fairtrade, and botanical ingredients[2]. The company's products are distributed across Australia and exported internationally[3].
History
[edit]Loco Love was established in 2012 by Emica Penklis, initially operating out of a home kitchen with a $1,000 initial investment derived from a tax return[4]. The business subsequently expanded into commercial manufacturing facilities, establishing a production footprint in the Byron Bay regional economy[5].
In mid-2025, Penklis sold a stake in the company to the private equity firm Light Warrior, co-founded by former Swisse Vitamins chief executive Radek Sali[6]. Following the investment, the company transitioned to commercial-scale production[7]. Loco Love reported an annual revenue of $8.8 million in 2024, which grew to over $12 million by 2025[8]. By early 2026, the company experienced a reported 23% supply shortage due to increased retail demand[9]
Operations and Distribution
[edit]Loco Love manufactures health-focused confections, substituting refined sugars with alternative ingredients like maca powder and Schisandra berry, alongside Fairtrade-certified cocoa.[10]. As of 2025, the company's production facility manufactures approximately 120,000 chocolate products per week[2]
The brand distributes its products nationally across Australia through independent food retailers, specialty stores, and IGA supermarkets. It also maintains an international export footprint, retailing its products in New Zealand.[3]. To support product rollouts, such as its Double Chocolate Truffle line, the brand has operated regional physical pop-up activations, including an event in Collingwood, Melbourne, in mid-2026[10]
Product Recalls
[edit]In March 2026, Loco Love issued a product recall in both Australia and New Zealand for its 175g Classic Chewy Caramel 5 Pack. The recall, monitored by the NSW Food Authority and the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries, was enacted due to the presence of undeclared peanut allergens.[3]
- ^ Magazine, Australian Life (2026-05-08). "Sweet Emica Penklis - Loco Love". Australian Life Magazine. Retrieved 2026-07-06.
- ^ a b Magazine, Australian Life (2026-05-08). "Sweet Emica Penklis - Loco Love". Australian Life Magazine. Retrieved 2026-07-06.
- ^ a b c www.mpi.govt.nz https://www.mpi.govt.nz/food-safety-home/food-recalls-and-complaints/recalled-food-products/loco-love-classic-chewy-caramel-recalled-due-to-the-presence-of-an-undeclared-allergen-peanut. Retrieved 2026-07-06.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ "Byron founder turns a $1000 tax return into a $12.8 million chocolate empire". Archived from the original on 2026-02-01. Retrieved 2026-07-06.
- ^ Waters, Cara (2019-08-04). "Building a business in Byron beyond the influencers". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2026-07-06.
- ^ Magazine, Australian Life (2026-05-08). "Sweet Emica Penklis - Loco Love". Australian Life Magazine. Retrieved 2026-07-06.
- ^ Powell, Sian (2025-11-16). "Fast 100 growth stars: From 'healthy' chocolate to eco-nappies". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 2026-07-06.
- ^ "Byron founder turns a $1000 tax return into a $12.8 million chocolate empire". Archived from the original on 2026-02-01. Retrieved 2026-07-06.
- ^ Powell, Sian (2025-11-16). "Fast 100 growth stars: From 'healthy' chocolate to eco-nappies". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 2026-07-06.
- ^ a b 37mystyle (2026-06-05). "Loco Love Brings a Taste of Byron Bay to Melbourne - Melbourne My Style Loco Love Brings a Taste of Byron Bay to Melbourne". Retrieved 2026-07-06.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)