Home-grown gelato chain Gelatissimo has announced 10 stores will open around Australia.

A strong recruitment drive for new franchisees is underway after Gelatissimo launched a new website dedicated to fielding franchising enquiries, hoping to attract strong franchise buyers particularly for emerging Queensland sites.

Gelatissimo CEO, Filipe Barbosa said “We have spent the last two decades enjoying sustainable growth and an ever increasing brand awareness nationally. We are now looking to the future with excitement as we undertake this new chapter, focused on continued brand growth around the world.”

Domestic growth will be matched with aggressive expansion plans overseas, including expansion in the US market. 

Gelatissimo’s Houston store is set to open in June with several outlets in the pipeline for Hawaii later in the year. 

Filipe said “Global expansion is at the heart of our strategic plan for 2021/22. We will celebrate 20 years of successful growth in 2022 and so feel the time is now right to really ramp up our international presence and cement our brand on a world  stage.” 

Key to the strategy is a highly skilled and experienced senior leadership team which now includes executive board member Bruce Rosengarten with an extensive retail  background, and Kerri Wane, who recently joined the team as general manager for the brand’s international business.

Kerri brings executive experience from brands like Domino’s and Mad Mex and has just been awarded the Up-and-Coming Award and a place in Australia’s Top 30 Franchise Executives report.

Gelatissimo is renowned for its cheeky campaigns promoting signature limited-edition flavours such as last year’s bubble tea gelato.

The gelato chain makes product fresh in-store with no artificial colours or flavours, using traditional Italian  methods.

There are 42 stores throughout Australia and 24 overseas locations including Singapore and China.