Bissinger's Handcrafted Chocolatier
Bissinger’s is a heritage chocolate brand founded in 1668 in Paris, originally appointed as confectioner to the French royal court. Today, the company is known for its premium small-batch, handcrafted chocolates, made in St. Louis, Missouri. With a growing presence in retail, wholesale, and direct-to-consumer channels, Bissinger’s continues to deliver luxury confections with centuries of tradition and modern flair.
Dan Abel is the Chief Chocolate Officer at Bissinger’s and a lifelong entrepreneur in the candy industry. Coming from a family that entered the chocolate business in 1981, Dan has a deep appreciation for handcrafted production, brand storytelling, and scalable growth without compromising quality. He currently oversees Bissinger’s expansion while maintaining its artisan roots, leading daily operations of the direct-to-consumer division and product development.
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How old is the Bissinger’s brand and when did you acquire it?
Bissinger’s was founded in 1668 in Paris, France. Dan Abel’s family became the seventh owner in 2019.
How did Bissinger’s scale production without compromising quality?
The company adds small artisan-style production lines, each operated by a team of three, to maintain handcrafted consistency as they scale.
What led to the growth of your direct-to-consumer channel?
A combination of print catalogs, a strong online strategy, and a new enterprise tech stack helped drive 160% growth from 2020–2022.
What is the brand’s approach to retail and wholesale partnerships?
Bissinger’s is stocked in Barnes & Noble, Dillard’s, and over 1,000 specialty stores while expanding its own storefronts from one to three locations.
Why did you continue producing in small batches despite scaling up?
Small batches ensure optimal caramelization, product quality, and uphold the brand’s artisan ethos—even as demand increases.
How old is the Bissinger’s brand and when did you acquire it?
How did Bissinger’s scale production without compromising quality?
What led to the growth of your direct-to-consumer channel?
What is the brand’s approach to retail and wholesale partnerships?
Why did you continue producing in small batches despite scaling up?
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Bissinger’s Overview
Growth: Direct-to-consumer division grew 160% between 2020–2022
Employees: 100
Founded: 1668
Bissinger’s Podcast Highlights
✅ Bissinger’s maintains 350+ years of chocolate-making tradition through small-batch, handcrafted methods
✅ Direct-to-consumer growth has surged with integrated catalog and online marketing strategies
✅ Scaling is achieved by adding small production lines while preserving artisan quality and product consistency
Episode Summary
In this episode, Dan Abel, Chief Chocolate Officer at Bissinger’s, shares the legacy and evolution of one of the world’s oldest confection brands. Founded in 1668 in Paris, Bissinger’s has preserved its commitment to hand-crafted, small-batch chocolates across centuries. Dan’s family, with chocolate-making roots dating back to 1981, acquired the brand in 2019 and has since honored its ethos while accelerating its growth.
The conversation dives into Bissinger’s unique production philosophy, where even as demand grows, each confection remains handmade in 100-pound batches on compact, artisan-style lines. Dan discusses the importance of balancing wholesale, direct-to-consumer, and retail strategies, including partnerships with Barnes & Noble and expansion into brick-and-mortar storefronts. This episode reveals how staying true to tradition, while evolving with technology and consumer behavior, can build a premium brand that stands the test of time.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:29 Company Stats
01:01 The Acquisition Journey
03:17 Navigating Challenges and Growth
04:41 Direct to Consumer Expansion
07:38 Manufacturing and Production Insights
09:45 Connect with Bissinger's
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