Summary: Oded Brenner is a modern-day Willy Wonka. In 1996, he launched a small chocolate shop called Max Brenner in Israel. That one location was such a success, he eventually expanded the concept to dozens of chocolate restaurants all across the globe – including in Israel, Australia, Singapore, Japan, Russia and in the United States. Max Brenner shops are inspired by “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" – even down to the chocolate pipes circumnavigating their way through the restaurant. It takes a whimsical approach to food and everywhere you look is chocolate, chocolate, chocolate. There's even chocolate pizza. He sold a majority stake in his company to an Israeli confectionary company called the Strauss Group. But then something happened that would change the course of the chocolate shop's history. Oded tried opening a new chain of coffee shops on the side, and the food and beverage giant sued him. Oded lost his job and the company he founded, and as part of the settlement he was banished from the chocolate business for five years. He spent those years in exile planning his comeback. And now, he's finally returned. He recently opened a new chocolate shop in New York City called Blue Stripes. Throughout the space – on the walls and on the gift boxes – are short pieces of text that Oded has written to his daughter, to share his entrepreneurial journey with her. To explain to her how he went from worldwide chocolate icon to being in exile. The new eatery offers a more refined menu, featuring variations on the cacao fruit, although you'll still find hints of the decadent. Their signature drink is known as "The Cloud" and is basically drinkable chocolate mousse served from a tap. In this episode, we visit Oded's new restaurant to chat about Max Brenner, his years away from the chocolate business, and what he hopes to accomplish next. For behind the scenes access to our show, including sneak peeks of future episodes, please join the "Our Friend from Israel" Facebook group. For additional notes, photos and a transcript of this episode, please visit www.ourfriendfromisrael.com.
