KNOops Expands Chocolate Stores Across U.K., UAE, China, U.S.

Several entrepreneurs have turned their passion for chocolate into successful businesses that resonate locally and globally. Jens Knoop founded Knoops in 2013 in East Sussex, focusing on perfecting hot chocolate, and after partnering with investor William Gordon Harris in 2018, the brand expanded quickly and now has 27 stores in the UK with plans for rapid growth and international reach. Audrey Brown, after a career change prompted by a stroke, founded Cocoa Bistro in Kingston, Ontario, beginning with home production and expanding to a storefront, leveraging local events and word of mouth to grow her business. Meanwhile, a chocolate bar originating in Dubai has gained viral fame worldwide for its unique pistachio and kataifi filling, inspiring local adaptations such as the one featured at a food festival in Savannah. These stories highlight how chocolate, whether through specialty drinks, artisanal shops, or innovative confections, continues to captivate entrepreneurs and consumers alike with its cultural versatility and emotional appeal.