In this episode, I sit down with Dan Abel Jr., Chief Chocolate Officer of Bissinger’s, one of the oldest chocolate companies in the world, dating back to 1668.
We dive into this remarkable brand’s royal beginnings in France, its journey to the U.S., and how Dan and his family have preserved Bissinger’s timeless quality while modernizing its operations for today’s consumer. Dan shares the heartfelt moments that fueled their purpose, from handwritten letters of gratitude to surviving COVID by leaning on their direct-to-consumer strength.
We also talk chocolate, real chocolate. Dan walks us through what makes Bissinger’s different, from hand-decorated truffles to multi-day candy-making processes that start with whole fruits and pure cane sugar. This episode is part business story, part masterclass in heritage and craftsmanship and all heart.
🍫 Key Moments in This Episode:
🇫🇷 How Bissinger’s became the King of France’s appointed confectioner in 1668
🏗 The family’s bold leap to revive the brand with a factory expansion and modern tech stack
📦 How e-commerce saved the business during COVID and doubled in size
💌 The handwritten letter from a global CEO that changed everything
🧁 Why Bissinger’s still uses century-old techniques, hand-paints chocolates, and sources European chocolate
Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to this rich and flavorful conversation where heritage meets hustle, and every chocolate tells a story.
For more on Bessinger’s visit: https://www.bissingers.com/
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Today’s Sponsors:
Compass Rose Ventures - Advisor for CPG Brands: https://compassroseventures.com/contact/
Compass Rose Ventures can help your CPG brand increase customer lifetime value, expand into the US market, create an omnipresent omnichannel footprint, optimize customer journeys, build brand communities, and more. Visit the link above to learn more.
Saral - The Influencer OS: https://www.getsaral.com/demo
SARAL is the all-in-one influencer platform that finds brand-aligned creators, automates outreach, and manages everything in one place. Request a live demo today. Let the SARAL team know you're a The Story of a Brand Show podcast listener to get an extended free trial! Visit the link above.
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