[1][2] Cailler was born in Vevey, in the canton of Vaud, on 11 June 1796, in a family originally from Daillens.

After an apprenticeship as a grocer in Vevey, he travelled to northern Italy where, in Turin, he learned the art of chocolate-making from Ticinese chocolatiers based there.

[5][6] Starting in 1820, Cailler rented additional factory space in the area in order to produce chocolate in larger scale.

[7] After the company's recover, Cailler bought two new water powered factories in Corsier-sur-Vevey and Vevey.

His wife Louise-Albertine continued to run the company along with their sons, Auguste and Alexandre.