If you are looking for information on the Gelato di Roma Creamery franchise business opportunity, Gelato di Roma franchises, Gelato di Roma Ice Cream franchising or Gelato di Roma Italian Ice Cream franchise, then you have come to the right place.
Gelato di Roma Creamery is the brainchild of Allie T. Mallad, an entrepreneur whose recent formula for success has everyone exploring the finer points of a favorite comfort food - Italian ice cream, or gelato. Allie's operational expertise coupled with his entrepreneurial passion and marketing savvy, eventually gave rise to the Gelato di Roma concept.
A hands-on approach to corporate franchise management has proven to be a giant winner for the company, and the quality presentation of over 50 freshly made gelato flavors is the "magic" behind the company's success.
Gelato is Italian ice cream. It has a richer flavor and thicker texture than regular ice cream because it includes more solids, no preservatives and less air. Since the air content is only about 45% (versus 100% in regular ice cream) and the fat about 7% (versus 16% in regular ice cream), the product is denser and the flavors more concentrated. Gelato di Roma offers 51 flavors (all made on premises with 100% natural ingredients and no preservations), including a line of intensely flavorful fruit sorbets. Gelato di Roma also offers signature pizzas and newly introduced oven-baked subs - a natural fit for the consumer as well as an operationally perfect match for the business model.
The ice cream business is a $20 billion industry and the pizza industry is even bigger at about $30 billion per year. We have a specific and unique strategy to distinguish ourselves in the competitive marketplace. We are the only concept that has taken both industries to a higher level with the creation of "Pizzalato." This term truly explains our concept. It refers to dinner and dessert - or pizza and gelato. Our tagline is "Dinner with Us is Desert On us!" With our signature Pizzalato, customers will always leave our restaurants with a free pint of gelato or sorbet. It's a terrific idea that started as a promotion and is now an effective form of branding for Gelato di Roma.
We own the unique liquid proprietary base that is used to make our gelato. Without it, a gelato company loses control of two of the three fundamental stages of developing a premium gelato: quality ingredients and unequaled richness. At Gelato di Roma, our research and development team maintains the highest quality standards for our gelato and sorbet, and is responsible for the ongoing refinement and development of our proprietary recipes. The team works closely with approved dairies and chemists to insure that our combination of natural ingredients guarantee superior product for the consumer.
Gelato di Roma Authentic Italian Creamery's mission statement is to be a world-class franchisor while introducing the American consumer to the premium, incredible taste of gelato. To achieve this goal we are innovative in our approach to business. We work as a team, providing attention to detail but never losing sight of the larger picture.
At Gelato di Roma we recognize the need to provide leadership in all areas and are committed to assisting our franchisees in their success.
Site IdentificationOur area developers and seasoned brokers assist franchisees in reviewing prime real estate and demographics to ensure that you are set up to succeed. Whether it's a strip center, stand alone, or non-traditional location, we are experienced in knowing what works.
As a new franchisee, we know that your budget is not unlimited. Once you've signed your lease, the clock starts ticking. We can guide you in the construction process in areas of architectural design, contractor relationships, operational flow and overall project management. The focus is ensuring that your location opens as quickly as possible.
With our extensive knowledge of the pizza and gelato industries, we know what equipment is needed to run an efficient operation. We can assist you in choosing an equipment package that will meet your needs both operationally and financially.
One of the most important criteria for operating any successful business is a comprehensive marketing plan. We will assist you in ordering your grand opening package that includes interior signage, danglers, menu board, gelato flavor tags, uniforms and local store print advertising. Once your store opens, we can also guide you in developing ongoing marketing campaigns and establishing community and vendor relationships that will bring more awareness to your location.
Depending on prior restaurant experience, every franchisee must receive 3-6 weeks training at one of our training centers. Not only do you receive valuable operations manuals, but in-store, hands-on experience that is crucial to running a store. Your training will completely address food ordering and inventory management, profit and loss, POS instruction, gelato production, food safety guidelines, quality control, human resources and marketing plans.
The information presented may have changed since first published. We recommend that you always verify fees, investment amounts and offers with the business opportunity directly prior to making a decision to invest.
1. What training and ongoing support do you provide?
You want to know what happens after you pay the initial fee. A strong franchisor provides comprehensive pre-opening training, site-selection help, operational playbooks, and continuous assistance with marketing, technology, and supply chains.
2. What is the total initial investment, and did actual startup costs match the estimates in Item 7 of the FDD?
The Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) lists estimated startup costs in Item 7, but real-world expenses can run higher. Asking how closely current owners tracked to these estimates reveals if you need extra working capital or if hidden fees exist.
3. How do royalties and local/national marketing fees impact profitability?
You need to understand ongoing financial obligations-such as monthly royalty percentages and ad fund contributions-and evaluate whether the brand value and support justify cutting into your profit margins.
4. What are the common challenges new franchisees face, and how do you help them overcome them?
Transparent franchisors will openly discuss real hurdles like local competition, tight labor markets, or supply chain bottlenecks, and show you the exact playbook or field support they offer to solve them as well as allowing you to speak with other franchisees.
5. How many franchise locations have closed or left the system in the past few years, and why?
High turnover, store closures, or quiet franchise exits are major red flags. This question measures system stability, territory health, and whether the corporate team addresses struggling owners or lets them fail.
Food and Beverage Franchises