Amidst the vibrant city center of Frankfurt, Erik Henkel and Patrick Schmidt have established Leonidas Fressgass – a haven for chocolate enthusiasts, seamlessly blending Belgian tradition with modern entrepreneurship. Bound by a lifelong passion for premium chocolate, the childhood friends transformed their shared enthusiasm into a business, launching Frankfurt’s first Leonidas franchise store in 2018.

With a clear vision of bringing the finest Belgian chocolate to Frankfurt, Erik and Patrick strategically chose Fressgass, one of the city’s most renowned culinary destinations. Here, they created more than just a store – they envisioned a chocolate café experience that extends beyond traditional praline sales. Customers indulge in an exclusive selection of handcrafted pralines, complemented by luxurious hot chocolate and gourmet coffee specialties.

While their brick-and-mortar store flourished, the founders quickly recognized the potential of e-commerce. By implementing a targeted social media strategy and expanding their online shop, they steadily grew their digital business, transforming it into a cornerstone of their success. This strategic diversification has propelled Leonidas Fressgass to become one of the top-performing Leonidas stores in Europe.

Leonidas Fressgass represents authentic Belgian chocolate craftsmanship, a commitment to uncompromising quality, and a dedication to pure ingredients – with all pralines crafted exclusively from cocoa butter and free from palm oil. From the outset, the Frankfurter Gründerfonds supported their vision, providing an initial investment of EUR 50,000, which laid the foundation for their remarkable success story. However, their ambitions extend far beyond this milestone: with the expansion of their storage capacity to two tons of pralines and the aspiration to sell over 20 tons annually, Erik and Patrick remain committed to their continuous growth trajectory.