Gelatissimo, Australia’s largest gelato franchise has today unveiled plans for further international expansion, announcing it will open stores in Bangladesh and India in September.
The latest privately owned stores follow a continued pattern of success for the dessert franchise, which has seen new openings spring up in South-East Asia and the Middle East.
The news coincides with Gelatissimo’s plans to continue expansion locally, with additional franchises planned for all six Australian states.
Filipe Barbosa, CEO of Gelatissimo said the brand had made a dedicated commitment to furthering expansion in the Asian region, highlighting growth potential as a driver.
“Since taking the Gelatissimo business overseas to Singapore in 2005 we have been actively recruiting master franchisees across the globe who share our vision of creating ‘Gelatissimoments’,” Barbosa said.
“Bangladesh and India represent big opportunities for us and our partners and we look forward to making it a sweet success.”
The Indian and Bangladeshi master franchise signings present a rare opportunity to target booming markets that are experiencing rapidly growing average spends per head on eating out and luxury goods.
Although gelato is a newer concept to both countries, the ice cream and premium dessert categories have expanded quickly and are expected to increase significantly over the next five years.
Barbosa said to aid in opening, Gelatissimo had refined its offer to give the latest stores a far more local focus.
“With a quality artisan product, a simple in-store production system, local marketing and brand building campaigns and an on-going training programme, we set all our franchisees up for success,” Barbosa said.
Nilesh Jamnadas, Bangladeshi master franchise owner agreed that the localised offering would allow the brand to more seamlessly integrate into the community.
“The stores have been adapted with localised features and will serve some new flavours, adapted for local taste buds,” Jamnadas said.
Both franchise owners are forecasted to open at least five new stores in each country over the next 12 months, taking the number of international outlets for the brand above 20, with the network now approaching 70 worldwide.
Sangeeta Dumpeta, Gelatissimo’s Indian master franchisor said he was excited to bring the Gelatissimo brand to the country.
“The stores will be fitted in the internationally recognisable Gelatissimo branding and serve the brand’s best loved flavours and products,” Dumpeta said.
Bangladesh and India join the portfolio of international franchisees with Gelatissimo already available in Philippines, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and China.