This family business was established in 1910 in Kharkov, Ukraine. It was established by Hovsep Ter-Poghossian Sr. in a modest middle class neighborhood. The business started as a bakery with white bread and baguettes being the main products. As the business grew rapidly, the bakery portion was added and other baked goods and sweets were served to the community.

For the next 20 years, Hovsep Sr. successfully operated the business. During the communist regime of Soviet Union, Hovsep Sr. was arrested and sent to Siberia as a prisoner. He was arrested for being a notable and successful businessman, who accumulated a great fortune


by working hard. During Hovsep Sr.'s absence, his family migrated to Tehran, Iran in the search of freedom and better life. Hovsep Sr. was released after 4 years of torture and joined the family in Tehran with few pennies in his pocket. On or around 1935, he borrowed money from friends and opened his bakery in center of Iranian capital, Tehran. With his capitalistic views, the business grew and became a household name among the Armenian, Russian, Jewish, and Greek communities.

In 1946, Hovsep Sr. passed away and left the business for the family to continue. Onnik and Grigor Ter-Poghossians, took over with the notable help of Anoush Ter-Poghossian, the wife of Hovsep Sr.. Running a bakery was not a simple task, especially in 1940's. Therefore, the youngest son of the family Rouben Ter-Poghossian joined the family business full-time at the age of 8, while attending a French Catholic school. After graduating 12th grade, Rouben dedicated all his energy towards the business.

The business continued its success, and on or around 1962, Onnik and Rouben took a summer vacation to Europe. Upon their return to Tehran, they brought new ideas and purchased machineries to manufacture chocolate. After several months of testing, the chocolate hit the store shelves. This was a new chapter, which made Mignon what it is today. By early 1970's, Mignon was known among Iranians and all minorities as the "King of Chocolate" in Tehran. The success was enormous, which drew the Shah's (King of Iran) family for weekly trips to sweeten their lives. On several occasions, Rouben visited the King's Palace to deliver and decorate birthday and anniversary cakes and chocolates.

Since August of 1988, Rouben took regular trips to Los Angeles. Upon each arrival, he brought dozens of his creations to the Armenian community and relatives in Glendale. Due to growing demand, in 2003 Mignon decided to expand the manufacturing in Southern California. The business venture is named under Mignon Chocolate, LLC, which will have the exclusive rights to use, distribute, and manufacture Mignon products in the United States. The brand new manufacturing plant is built in Van Nuys, CA. The retail store is in Glendale, CA.