The Legacy of Nizar Choucair: How Patchi Chocolate Became a Global Success Story

Nizar Choucair, the Lebanese businessman who founded the Patchi brand of chocolate, passed away at Clemenceau University Hospital in Beirut. Choucair was born in Beirut in 1941 and followed his childhood passion for chocolate to establish Patchi in 1974 with the opening of his first store on Hamra Street.

Despite facing challenges during the Lebanese Civil War, Choucair expanded his Patchi stores outside Lebanon. His first international expansion began with Kuwait and Oman, and with the help of just four employees, he gained popularity and success. This led to the opening of his first chocolate manufacturing factory in a small area of 25 square meters.

Choucair’s commitment to quality and innovation inspired him to secure a grant from the Central Bank of Lebanon to invest in modern machinery for his factory. With a bold expansion strategy, Choucair opened a new Patchi branch every six months, growing the brand to over 150 stores in 35 countries including the Emirates, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Oman.

What set Patchi apart was its unique blend of Swiss and Belgian chocolate styles combined with an array of ingredients like walnuts, pistachios and hazelnuts in milk or dark chocolate. The diverse menu boasted over 40 different types of chocolate varieties which drew customers from all over the world.

Nizar Choucair’s legacy lives on through the global success of the Patchi brand that he built on his childhood love for chocolate.