In 2003, life dealt 24-year-old Kainaz Messman a blow that could have ended her career. A serious back injury forced her to give up her dream job as a pastry chef and confined her to bed rest. For someone who had built her life around baking, it felt like her entire world had come crashing down. But what followed was not the end of her story it was the beginning of a remarkable entrepreneurial journey that would lead to the creation of Theobroma, a beloved bakery brand now valued at ₹3,500 crore.
A Childhood Rooted in Flavor and Family
Born in 1980 into a warm, close-knit Parsi family, Kainaz grew up surrounded by the comforting aroma of her mother’s home catering business. She inherited her love for baking early, especially cherishing family recipes like eggless brownies and chocolate orange mousse cake. After completing her education at IHM Mumbai, she began her professional career at the prestigious Oberoi Udaivilas in Udaipur. Her future as a pastry chef looked promising until the demands of the kitchen took a toll on her health.
A Setback That Sparked a New Dream
The back injury left Kainaz not only physically weakened but emotionally shattered. Confined to her bed and slipping into depression, she struggled to find purpose. Yet, with unwavering support from her family, especially during the darkest days, she began to recover not just physically, but mentally. And in that space of healing, a new idea was born.
Her family encouraged her to start something of her own. With a ₹1.5 crore loan from her father, she took a leap of faith. In 2004, during Dussehra, Theobroma opened its first outlet in Colaba, Mumbai. The name, suggested by her sister Tina Messman, means “Food of the Gods” in Greek a fitting title for a bakery destined to become divine in its offerings.
Building the Brand One Brownie at a Time
From the very beginning, Theobroma stood out. It wasn’t just about selling baked goods; it was about recreating the warmth, flavor, and tradition of a family kitchen. Their signature English brownies quickly captured hearts, and word-of-mouth demand soared. Yet for years, the business operated out of just one outlet due to limited funding.
It wasn’t until 2014 that the game changed. With a ₹5 crore loan, expansion began. Then, in 2017, ICICI Ventures infused ₹120 crore into the business, enabling Theobroma to spread its wings across the country. By 2020, the brand had 45 outlets. Today, it boasts over 225 outlets in more than 30 cities, with revenues hitting ₹375 crore in FY 2023–24 and a brand valuation of ₹3,500 crore.
The Secret Ingredients: Family, Authenticity, and Smart Growth
At the heart of Theobroma’s success is its commitment to authenticity old family recipes, honest pricing, and a European café experience made accessible to everyone. But Kainaz and her sister Tina also knew the importance of scaling responsibly. They brought in experienced professionals like Cyrus, Sarah, and Rishi Gaur to strengthen operations, marketing, and management, turning a passion project into a scalable enterprise.
A Story of Resilience and Reinvention
Kainaz Messman’s journey is more than a business success story it’s a powerful reminder that resilience can turn setbacks into stepping stones. From the depths of despair to the heights of culinary and business achievement, her path shows that dreams may bend, but they don’t have to break.
Today, Theobroma is not just a bakery. It’s a symbol of determination, family spirit, and the sweet rewards of not giving up.
