Suwanee-Based Chocolatier Offers Signature Flavors Developed with Volleyball Team’s Coach and Star Players, Available During Home Games and at Bitzel’s Factory
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ATLANTA (Jan. XX, 2025) – Bitzel’s Chocolate announces that it has partnered with the Atlanta Vibe, one of the eight teams in the Professional Volleyball Federation. As part of this collaboration, the popular 7,000-square-foot chocolate factory, wholesale and retail space has been named the “official chocolate” of the Vibe and worked with the indoor volleyball team’s head coach and top four players to create signature chocolate bars.
“The Atlanta Vibe is just a great team of competitive athletes who are energetic, dynamic and a lot of fun,” says Bitzel’s owner and head chocolatier Ray Bitzel. “They were a natural fit to pair with Bitzel’s high-quality line of authentic, accessible treats. We had a great time working with head coach Kayla Banwarth and the players—including No. 1 draft pick Merritt Beason—to create these delicious chocolate bars and know fans will love them as much as they enjoy coming to the matches.”
Bitzel’s signature Atlanta Vibe-branded chocolate bars, developed in creation with Vibe coach Banwarth and players, include:
- Origin Dark with glazed cinnamon pecans – a favorite of Merritt Beason (#5, opposite hitter)
- 52% Orange Zest – a favorite of Morgan Hentz (#9, libero)
- Uganda Cherry Pecan – a favorite of Marlie Monserez (#21, setter)
- Belgian Milk & Salted Caramel – a favorite of Shelly Fanning (#3, middle blocker)
- Classic Milk M&M Crunch Bar – a favorite of Kayla Banwarth (coach)
These individually branded bars are available at Bitzel’s Chocolate, Gas South Arena and other local retailers. For more information on Bitzel’s line of affordable, chef-crafted chocolate confections, please visit bitzelschocolate.com.
The Atlanta Vibe is a member of the eight-team Professional Volleyball Federation and plays home matches at Gas South Arena (not far from Bitzel’s world-class production and retail facility in Suwanee). The Vibe’s sophomore season runs through May 4. For tickets and news about fundraising opportunities and meet-and-greets, please visit atlantavibe.com.
About Bitzel’s Chocolate
Bitzel’s Chocolate is a 7,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility, located in Suwanee, Georgia. The factory is the brainchild of chocolatier and entrepreneur Ray Bitzel and his business partner and co-founder Dave Rose. Bitzel’s Chocolate features a line of affordable, chef-crafted delicacies prepared while guests move through the production process in a true Willy Wonka-style experience. In 2024, Bitzel’s Chocolate was named “Manufacturer of the Year – Small” by Partnership Gwinnett. Bitzel’s Chocolate is located at 453 Northolt Parkway Suwanee, GA 30024 and is open Tuesday-Thursday from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. and Friday-Sunday from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Learn more at bitzelschocolate.com.
About the Atlanta Vibe
The Atlanta VIBE is one of eight teams competing in the Professional Volleyball Federation’s historic second season in 2025. As Atlanta’s professional women’s indoor volleyball team and the city’s second fully professional women’s sports team, the Vibe continues to build a legacy in women’s sports. For more information, visit atlantavibe.com.