Theobroma, synonymous with indulgent brownies, cakes, and other irresistible treats, has become one of India’s most cherished patisserie brands. Behind its remarkable success are two dynamic sisters, Kainaz Messman Harchandrai and Tina Messman, who transformed a small café into a nationwide brand known for its quality, innovation, and passion for baking.
The Mumbai-based bakery chain, founded in 2004 by sisters Kainaz and Tina Messman, is now poised for a significant leap, with a potential acquisition deal reportedly valuing the brand at over ₹3,000 crores ($3.5 billion). What started as a small family-run business is now on the cusp of becoming a global brand, raising the question: Can Theobroma, an Indian bakery, truly transform into an international powerhouse?
The Messman family's deep love for food forms the foundation of Theobroma's story.
Kainaz Messman, the elder of the two sisters, was passionate about the culinary arts from a young age. She trained as a chef at the Institute of Hotel Management in Mumbai and later honed her skills in bakery and pastry-making while working at the prestigious Oberoi Hotel in Mumbai. Kainaz's dream was to create a place where people could enjoy delicious, freshly made desserts and baked goods.
In 2004, Kainaz’s promising career took a detour when she suffered a severe back injury that forced her to leave her job at the Oberoi. What could have been a moment of despair turned into a defining moment for the family. Kainaz, supported by her mother, Kamal, and her younger sister, Tina, decided to pursue a long-held dream of opening a bakery. The family pooled their resources, and Theobroma, meaning “food of the gods” in Greek, was born in a tiny café space in Mumbai’s Colaba neighborhood in 2004.
Kainaz spearheaded the recipes and culinary vision of Theobroma, while her sister Tina provided crucial business expertise. A few years after Theobroma’s inception, Tina, who had pursued a corporate career in London, returned to India to join the family business. She took on the operational side of the business, overseeing everything from supply chain management to financial strategy.
The sisters’ complementary skills—Kainaz’s culinary brilliance and Tina’s sharp business sense became the foundation of Theobroma’s success. They combined their talents to create a brand with strong product offerings and growth strategy. Word of mouth drove Theobroma's initial success. What started as a small bakery in South Mumbai, catering to a local clientele, soon gained popularity for its decadent brownies, gooey chocolate cakes, and mouth-watering pastries. Brownies, in particular, became Theobroma’s signature product, with people traveling across the city to get their hands on the famous "Overload Brownie."
Over time, Theobroma expanded its menu to include a range of savory items, sandwiches, desserts, and beverages, transforming it from a dessert haven into a full-fledged café. The sisters realized the potential to scale up and began opening outlets across Mumbai. One of the turning points for Theobroma was its entry into the retail and delivery space, enabling it to reach a wider audience across Mumbai and, later, other cities. The combination of dine-in locations, takeaway outlets, and delivery services positioned the brand for rapid growth.
Like any entrepreneurial journey, Theobroma’s path wasn’t without its challenges. As the business expanded, maintaining quality and consistency became a top priority. The sisters invested in setting up central kitchens to ensure that the taste and quality of their products remained consistent across all outlets. Additionally, managing the increasing demand and scaling operations posed logistical challenges, which Tina’s strategic approach to operations helped overcome.
Another major challenge was dealing with competition in the rapidly growing café and bakery sector in India. However, Theobroma stood out for its focus on quality ingredients, attention to detail, and a customer-first approach, allowing it to build a loyal customer base despite the crowded market.
As demand for Theobroma's products grew, so did the company's footprint. After establishing itself as a leading name in Mumbai, Theobroma expanded to cities like Delhi, Pune, and Bengaluru. The brand's success stems from its ability to innovate while upholding its core values of high-quality ingredients, consistency, and a welcoming café experience.
In addition to expanding its physical presence, Theobroma adapted to changing consumer behavior by embracing online orders and delivery services. This helped the brand reach new customers, particularly during times when in-person dining was limited, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Throughout their journey, the Messman sisters have credited their success to the strong sense of family and community that has been integral to Theobroma. Their mother, Kamal, has been a constant source of support and played a key role in the business during its early days. The sisters have also cultivated a positive work environment, fostering loyalty among their staff and building long-term relationships with suppliers.
Theobroma’s success is not just a testament to Kainaz and Tina’s entrepreneurial spirit but also to the support they received from their family and their ability to create a brand that resonates with people. Theobroma’s products aren’t just about food—they’re about creating memorable experiences for their customers.
Today, Theobroma is a thriving business with over 100 outlets across India and a strong online presence. Its brownies, cakes, and pastries are known nationwide, and the brand continues to expand, with plans to open more outlets in new cities.
For Kainaz and Tina Messman, the journey of Theobroma is far from over. Their vision for the future involves further expanding the brand while staying true to the core values that made Theobroma a household name. They remain committed to innovating their menu, improving customer experience, and expanding their footprint both within India and internationally.
Theobroma’s rise from a small café in Colaba to a nationally recognized brand is a story of passion, perseverance, and family power. Kainaz and Tina Messman, with their unique blend of culinary and business expertise, have not only built a successful company but have also created a brand that brings joy to countless customers across India.
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