Have you tried an ice cream doughnut? It’s absolutely the latest dessert craze – a hot chewy doughnut crammed with delicious gelato. Doughnuts are all the rage in Sydney, and news of this tasty dream team has even whet appetites in the UK and Ireland.

We have our home-grown brand Gelatissimo to thank for this mouth-watering, innovative sweet treat.

Passion, commitment and secret family recipes have brought the franchise chain to its premium spot in the marketplace but it is innovation that keeps driving the business to new heights.

The chain was the first to spread the word about gelato free from artificial colours or flavours.

The Sydney-born business was the first retail chain to focus on serving up freshly churned gelato made in-store. And that has helped it expand internationally – a better quality product is produced  in-store than in exported frozen goods.

And the innovations have continued.

Cafe style stores allow customers to unwind and take a moment to enjoy heavenly waffles and cake slices, all the while sipping a full-flavoured barista-crafted espresso.

What about a gelato milkshake? Not just perfectly blended and ideal for a cool treat, they also offer dairy-free shakes to cater to consumers. Want your gelato treat to last in the cosy surrounds of your own home? Their gelato can be packaged in a take-home tub for a taste of indulgence at home.

Of course the classics are real favourites: Salted Caramel, Pistachio, Mango. But what Gelatissimo does exceptionally well is explore new taste sensations – think of Burnt Caramel and Pecan, and the perfumed delicacy of Lychee.

Tapping into the mood of the moment is something that Gelatissimo has mastered – and customers love it.

And what customers love, franchisees love.

Clever ideas and luscious artisan products are great drivers for a food franchisee. Take those delicious gelato doughnuts – since the release there have been thousands sold around the country. The latest Wild Series of limited edition flavours served in exclusive printed cups has delivered great engagement both in-store and online.

The customer base keeps growing:  consumers in Sydney are poised to get three new spots to buy freshly-made gelato – a store is about to open in Cronulla, the Kirribilli outlet will launch in late November, and just in time for Christmas, the Rocks outlet will open its doors in early December.

As the network expands around Australia, there are great business opportunities for passionate, committed individuals with a desire to deliver fantastic customer service – and gelato.

With Gelatissimo franchisees can invest in a business model that is strong, supportive and simple. That allows them to concentrate on the fun part – building a customer base of passionate gelato-lovers. Not hard to do with a brand like Gelatissimo.

Has this got your tastebuds tingling? If you have a talent for turning all things delicious into business, you can find out more here.