Nizar Choucair, a Lebanese businessman and the founder of the Patchi chocolate brand, passed away at Clemenceau University Hospital in Beirut. Born in 1941 in Beirut, Choucair began his career in Kuwait before returning to Lebanon to pursue his dream of creating a chocolate brand. In 1974, he opened his first Patchi store on Hamra Street and expanded his business to other countries during the Lebanese Civil War.
Choucair’s success with Patchi led him to open a chocolate manufacturing factory and expand to more than 150 branches in 35 countries. He was inspired by his uncle’s chocolate store in Beirut and obtained funding from the Central Bank of Lebanon to purchase modern equipment for his factory. Patchi is known for its Swiss and Belgian style chocolates with a variety of flavors and ingredients.
Choucair’s bold expansion strategy led to a new Patchi store opening every six months, making it a popular brand in countries like the UAE, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Oman. His legacy lives on through the continued success of the Patchi brand, which remains a favorite among chocolate lovers worldwide.
