The round wafer, called a ‘roundie’ or ‘choco wafer’, covered with Cadbury or Milka chocolate is a marketing phenomenon; it is based on a traditional design of the Fidorka wafer which consists of round wafers joined by a filling and covered with chocolate. These single-serving snacks are produced in an expanding variety of flavors and marketed in Europe under several brand names from Mondelēz portfolio.

A local innovation with global impact

‘Mondelēz is rolling out a local favorite to a large market,’ said Emmanuel Chilaud, director of the Mondelēz manufacturing cluster in the Czech Republic. ‘Wafers are inspired by a Czech heritage jewel, an easy-to-enjoy sweet with a bit of crunch.’ The $58MM investment in high-tech production will enable the Opava factory to meet an increased demand for this snack. ‘In this Mondelēz factory of the future, automation helps reduce labour intensive tasks, improving efficiencies and decreasing production costs,’ Chilaud said.

Origins

The original Fidorka, is a snack connected to baking in Opava and dating back to the 19th century. It references the Fiedor family in which three generations of women leaders have established the confectionery industry in Opava. Marie Fiedorová founded the Fiedor baking empire in the early 20th century. Her innovations of products and investments in industrial production of food laid the foundation for today’s manufacturing prowess of Mondelēz in Opava.

‘Mondelēz investment continues in the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship which is very much alive in Opava. Now, we are impacting people outside of the Czech Republic with our people creativity and industry,’ said Opava mayor Tomáš Navrátil at today’s launch of ‘The Bittersweet Vanilla’ (Hořkosladká vůně vanilky), a book about Marie Fiedorová by Romana Vaverková, at an event taking place in parallel to Mondelēz announcement.

Investment in context

This new investment is the latest achievement at the Opava factory over the past twelve months. In June 2024, the street in front of the factory was renamed to ‘Oreo’ by the city council, creating only the second ‘Oreo Street’, in the world. This honours Opava factory and the local Mondelēz team which is the producer of Oreo cookies for Europe. In September 2023, the factory announced a $65 million investment to build a third production line for Oreo cookies. Once completed, this will cement Opava factory’s status as the largest biscuit factory in Europe.

About Mondelēz International

Mondelēz International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MDLZ) empowers people to snack right in over 150 countries around the world. With 2023 net revenues of approximately $36 billion, MDLZ is leading the future of snacking with iconic global and local brands such as OREO, RITZ, LU, CLIF BAR and TATE'S BAKE SHOP biscuits and baked snacks, as well as CADBURY DAIRY MILK, MILKA and TOBLERONE chocolate. Mondelēz International is a proud member of the Standard and Poor's 500, Nasdaq 100 and Dow Jones Sustainability Index. Visit www.mondelezinternational.com or follow the company on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDLZ.

About Mondelēz International in the Czech Republic

Mondelez Czech Republic s.r.o. and Mondelez Slovakia s.r.o. are part of Mondelēz  International. Among products which the company sells in the Czech and Slovak markets are Opavia biscuits and wafers, BeBe Dobré ráno biscuits, Brumík soft cakes and Fidorka wafers, Figaro chocolate, Kolonáda, Miňonky and Tatranky wafers or TUC crackers. The company has been present in the Czech Republic and Slovakia since 1992. In its four manufacturing plants, two business units, and centre of excellence, the company employs 2.5 thousand people and sells 500 products under 16 brand names, in Czechia and Slovakia.