Max Brenner facts for kids
Max Brenner logo
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Max Brenner shop
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| Industry | Food & Beverage |
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| Founded | Ra'anana, Israel (1996) |
| Founder | Max Fichtman Oded Brenner |
| Headquarters |
Ra'anana
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Israel
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Number of locations
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36 (2024) |
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Area served
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Australia, Israel, United States |
| Products | Chocolate |
| Owner | Yaniv Shtanger Dudu Vaknin |
Max Brenner is a famous Israeli company that sells delicious chocolate treats. It's known for its chocolate restaurants and shops around the world. Max Brenner has 36 locations in different countries. Most of these (24) are in Australia. You can also find ten shops in Israel and two in the United States, specifically in New York City.
This company specializes in desserts made with chocolate. They offer yummy items like fondue, crepes, milkshakes, waffles, and hot chocolate. Many of their treats are served in special, unique dishes. Max Brenner is currently owned by Yaniv Shtanger and Dudu Vaknin. All Max Brenner chocolates are certified kosher. This means they follow special food rules.
Contents
History of Max Brenner
How the Company Started (1996–2001)
Max Brenner was started in 1996 in Ra'anana, Israel. Two friends, Max Fichtman and Oded Brenner, created the company. They combined their first names to get "Max Brenner." The business began as a small shop. They sold handmade chocolates there.
Before starting the company, Oded Brenner learned how to make chocolate in Paris. He spent six years learning from a master chocolatier named Michel Chaudun. When he returned to Israel, he opened his first shop. It was called "Handmade Chocolate by Max Brenner." By 1999, Max and Oded had opened ten chocolate shops.
In 1999, they met an Israeli business person. This meeting gave them the idea to make their business bigger. The first Max Brenner-branded cafe opened in Australia in 2000. It was in Paddington, a cool suburb of Sydney. This new place was called a "Max Brenner Chocolate Bar." It was a mix of a chocolate bar and a shop. This allowed people to enjoy chocolate in many ways. They could eat treats and also buy chocolates to take home.
Growing with Strauss Group (2001–2017)
In 2001, Max Brenner became part of the Strauss Group. Strauss is Israel's second-largest food and drink company. From 2002 to 2005, Max Brenner opened new places. They opened in Israel, Singapore, and the Philippines. They also kept opening more shops in Australia. In 2006, Max Brenner opened its first chocolate bar in the United States. It was in New York City.
In 2010, a new Max Brenner restaurant opened in the U.S. It was at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The next year, more stores opened in Boston and Philadelphia. These places offered both sweet and savory food options.
In 2013, the company changed its plan. They started to move away from full restaurants. Instead, they focused on a faster style called a Chocolate Bar. The first of these opened in Bethesda, Maryland in June 2013. Three more opened in Tokyo, Japan, and Moscow, Russia. These were opened by other companies through agreements. In April 2014, the second U.S. Chocolate Bar opened in Paramus, New Jersey. In Australia, Max Brenner grew to 37 restaurants. These were across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, the Northern Territory, and the Australian Capital Territory.
Becoming Independent Again (Since 2017)
In May 2017, the Strauss Group sold the Max Brenner brand. It was sold to two Israeli business owners. Their names are Yaniv Shtanger and Dudu Vaknin. They bought the company for about US$5 million.
On October 1, 2018, Max Brenner's Australian business faced financial difficulties. They said costs were rising and sales were slow. On October 8, 2018, 20 of the 37 Australian Max Brenner locations closed for good. In November 2018, an Australian cinema owner and singer, Roy Mustaca, bought the remaining 17 Australian Max Brenner shops.
Max Brenner in Australia
Max Brenner first came to Australia in 2000. Its first Chocolate Bar opened in Paddington, Sydney. The Australian menu includes chocolate and desserts. They have their own special chocolate recipes. They also offer hot chocolates, chocolate fondue, and waffles. They even have decadent chocolate pizzas. They use special dishes like the 'hug mug' for their drinks.
In 2018, the Australian business had financial problems. Then, an Australian family business called Vitocco Enterprises bought the Max Brenner Asia Pacific (APAC) part. With new leaders, the company planned to grow. They opened their first international Chocolate Bar in Queenstown, New Zealand, in late 2021.
The Australian Max Brenner business is separate from the Israel and U.S. businesses. Its main office is in Sydney, Australia. In 2021, three new Chocolate Bars opened. They are in Ed Square, World Square, and Southland in Cheltenham. There are currently 25 Max Brenner Chocolate Bars in Australia.
Awards and Recognition
In April 2014, Max Brenner won an award. It was a 2014 Webby Awards in the food and drink category. They won for having the best website. Both the public and a panel of experts chose their website.
Images for kids
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Max Brenner store in Parramatta, New South Wales
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Max Brenner chocolate bar in Herzliya, Israel
