DeBrand Chocolates Opens Shop in Kuwait

The idea to bring the chocolates to Kuwait came three years ago, when Rawan Al-Shaya had a chance tasting of a Debrand truflle in her homeland and instantly fell in love After a visit to the U.S., her husband Mr. Rashed Al-Shaya, a Middle East businessman of the prominent Kuwaiti Al-Shaya family, decided to open shop in Kuwait. Rashed Al-Shaya then visited DeBrand and met with owners, Cathy Brand-Beere and Tim Beere, to negotiate a licensing agreement in 2011, and within the two years they built the DeBrand name in Kuwait, including gaining a large social media following of more than 40,000 Instagram followers before the store even opened. They even brought two employees from Fort Debrand ChocolatesWayne to spend six weeks living and working in Kuwait City to help the new shop staff in delivering the "DeBrand" experience. "We were able to spend two wonderful weeks in Kuwait and Dubai where we were treated fabulously by Rashed, his family, and his staff," said DeBrand’s Beeres, who brought along their 17-year-old daughter, Audree, to Kuwait. "We are excited about the grand opening and the enthusiasm they have for our chocolates abroad. We look forward to growing DeBrand both domestically and internationally." Al-Shaya is now planning to open more DeBrand locations throughout the Middle East, including Dubai and Saudi Arabia.

Kuwait · 18 Apr 2013

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