Carle Place, NY — GB Chocolates, LLC will develop a minimum of 45 Fannie May franchise retail outlets to be operating by 2014, according to an agreement the company signed with Fannie May owner 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc.

GB Chocolates is a newly formed partnership between several experienced franchise operators, including the second largest restaurant franchisee in the U.S., according to Fannie May.

In addition to the development agreement, GB Chocolates is acquiring 17 existing Fannie May stores located in the Midwest.

The first three stores under the agreement are scheduled to open in Minnesota in time for the holiday shopping season, the company says.