Whittard of Chelsea is an international retailer of coffee, tea and various items that are used for the consumption of hot drinks. Instant tea, hot chocolate, china and confectionery are also amongst their leading products. The company was founded in 1886 by Walter Whittard. It expanded in the 1980s and 1990s, and was bought by the Icelandic Baugur Group in 2005 for around £21 million. After Iceland\'s financial collapse in 2008, the company was placed into administration before being sold to the private equity firm EPIC for an undisclosed amount in December 2008. Whittards has some 55 retail stores across the United Kingdom, as well as international stores in over 40 countries.Whittard of Chelsea is an international retailer of coffee, tea and various items that are used for the consumption of hot drinks. Instant tea, hot chocolate, china and confectionery are also amongst their leading products. The company was founded in 1886 by Walter Whittard. It expanded in the 1980s and 1990s, and was bought by the Icelandic Baugur Group in 2005 for around £21 million. After Iceland\'s financial collapse in 2008, the company was placed into administration before being sold to the private equity firm EPIC for an undisclosed amount in December 2008. Whittards has some 55 retail stores across the United Kingdom, as well as international stores in over 40 countries.