St. Louis House of Fine Ice Cream and Dessert specialises in French-style ice cream.

“With more than 20 years’ experience in the ice-cream field, we have spent a lot of time making and researching what constitutes a premium product,” says MD George Karamalis.

“Our ice cream is locally produced from premium ingredients and delivered to our stores fresh.”

Extended trading hours are also a selling point, with stores open for breakfast and some open until midnight on weekdays. Mood lighting, tabletop candles and even a St. Louis playlist add to the business’ romantic feel.

Karamalis says the company annually reviews and updates its dessert menus.

“This involves employing a food-and-beverage consultant/chef who reviews our products and offerings, and then spends considerable time researching trends before creating new items to be included in our menus at the beginning of every year. This is an exciting process, which we know attracts new customers as well as those returning.

“We do like to do a fair bit of research into social-media trending, but if something is outside our theme of classic, sophisticated and made from quality ingredients, we simply will not follow that particular trend.”

The business opportunity

“Because of the increasing number of our store outlets, we now have stronger liaisons with current and new suppliers,” says Karamalis.

St. Louis pushes forward with technology as it becomes available, such as partnering with Deliveroo, Rewardle and UberEats, but Karamalis says customers are not always “tech-aware”.

Franchises range from an initial investment of $350,000 to $550,000, depending on the site. Franchisees receive training before store opening, and ongoing support.