Ferrero International S.A., the Italian chocolate company best known for its decadent Nutella hazelnut spread, has big plans for the Fannie May and Harry London brand chocolates it quietly bought earlier this year. Ferrero bought Chicago-based Fannie May Confections Brands for $115 million from 1-800-Flowers.com, the gourmet food and floral delivery company, and said the purchase was a key part of its U.S. expansion.

That's sweet news for chocolate lovers, as well as fans of Fannie May's chocolate factory and retail store in North Canton. The deal also included fanniemay.com's online business, 79 retail stores in the Midwest, two warehouses and distribution centers in Chicago and in Maple Heights, and about 750 employees company-wide.