How to Finance a Gelatissimo Franchise: Gelato Shop Build-Out
By Marc Cornella
A Gelatissimo franchise loan finances a gelato store from an Australian brand that is still early in its United States expansion. That combination shapes the financing: the store itself is a compact retail build-out with specialized freezer and display equipment, while the franchise structure in the US, which has included master franchisees, determines whether SBA financing is available at all.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Gelatissimo; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures from the franchisor’s disclosure document can change, loan programs vary, and every loan is subject to approval. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice. Review the current US Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and franchise agreement with a franchise attorney and an accountant before you sign.
Gelatissimo Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: gelato stores offering more than 40 flavors made fresh in store daily, along with gelato cakes, desserts, milkshakes and take-home packs.
- History: the first store opened in Australia in 2002, and the company describes itself as a family-run business and Australia’s largest gelato retail brand.
- International reach: stores in Australia, Singapore, the Philippines and the United States.
- US presence: the first US store opened in Houston, Texas, in January 2022. The company reported two US stores open with a third planned in January 2025, and in March 2025 announced that its Orange County, California, master franchisees had opened their second store in five months.
- Fees and investment: US fees, royalty and the estimated initial investment are in Items 5, 6 and 7 of the US FDD. We could not verify US figures from the franchisor’s own materials, and Australian figures do not apply to US stores.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed as “Gelatissimo” under code S8574, with a lease note and a rule that applicants under the Master Franchise Agreement are not eligible for SBA assistance.
What Is Gelatissimo?
Gelatissimo opened its first store in Australia in 2002 and grew into a national chain of gelato stores across Australian cities, shopping centers and beachside locations. The company describes itself as family-run and as Australia’s largest gelato retail brand, and it has expanded into Singapore, the Philippines and the United States.
The product. Each store makes its gelato fresh in store daily and rotates more than 40 flavors. Beyond scoops, stores sell gelato cakes, desserts, milkshakes and take-home packs, and the brand offers gelato cart hire for events. That product range supports sales beyond the summer peak, especially through cakes and take-home packs.
The US expansion. Gelatissimo opened its first US store in Houston in January 2022 and announced plans for Honolulu. In January 2025 it reported two US stores open and a third planned, and in March 2025 it announced a new store in Irvine, California, opened by its Orange County master franchisees as their second store in five months.
Store formats. In its home market, the brand operates in shopping centers, high streets, kiosks, central business districts and beachside sites. Ask which formats the US franchisor approves, because a kiosk and a full store with seating carry very different build-out costs.
How lenders view the brand. In Australia, Gelatissimo is a long-established chain. In the US, it is an emerging system with a small number of stores. Lenders will weigh the borrower’s food-service experience, the site and the strength of local support more heavily than US brand history. Our article on financing an emerging franchise explains how lenders approach young US systems.
Gelatissimo Franchise Costs
Because US figures were not available from the franchisor’s own materials, every dollar figure in your plan should come from the US FDD.
Initial franchise fee. Item 5 discloses the initial franchise fee and any development or master franchise fees. If you buy from a master franchisee in a region, confirm who collects the fee.
Lease and build-out. A gelato store needs plumbing, drainage, electrical capacity for freezers and production equipment, finishes that match the brand design and, for full stores, seating. Build-out is usually the largest cost. Our article on restaurant build-out financing explains how construction is funded.
Equipment. Gelato production requires batch freezers, pasteurizers or mixers, blast freezers, storage freezers and a refrigerated display cabinet, plus milkshake and cake equipment.
Opening costs and working capital. Opening inventory, hiring, training, grand-opening marketing and several months of operating expenses must be funded before sales stabilize.
Item 7 of the US FDD will typically include lines like these:
- Initial franchise fee
- Lease deposits and rent before opening
- Leasehold improvements and construction
- Gelato production and freezer equipment
- Display cabinets, furniture and fixtures
- Signage and point-of-sale technology
- Opening inventory and packaging
- Training travel and expenses
- Grand-opening marketing
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
Confirm the line items add up to the stated total and note which store format the table describes.
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Royalty and marketing. Item 6 lists the royalty, marketing fund contributions, local store marketing requirements and technology fees. Ask whether any fee is a fixed amount rather than a percentage of sales, since fixed fees weigh more heavily in slow months.
Product supply. Ask how gelato ingredients, bases and packaging are sourced and priced in the US, since supply costs drive margins.
Remodels. Ask whether the agreement requires periodic refreshes of store design.
How lenders treat these fees. Lenders measure debt service coverage after royalties, marketing, rent and supply costs. A Gelatissimo franchise loan should be sized against the cash flow left in the slowest season, not the summer peak.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
We could not verify published US net worth or liquid capital minimums. Ask the franchisor or your regional master franchisee for written criteria.
Owner involvement. The brand’s franchising materials strongly recommend that owners are involved in their store day to day. Lenders favor owner-operators with food-service or retail management experience.
Training and support. The company describes training throughout ownership and a dedicated area manager for support. Confirm what training is available in the US and where it takes place.
Ways to Own a Gelatissimo
Open a single store. A unit franchisee signs for one store and finances the fee, build-out, equipment and working capital. Our page on restaurant start-up financing explains how lenders fund new food-service openings.
Become a master franchisee. A master franchisee takes rights to a region and may open stores and sell sub-franchises. This is a larger commitment, and the SBA directory note says applicants operating under the Master Franchise Agreement are not eligible for SBA assistance, so master franchisees should plan on conventional financing.
Buy an existing store. As the US system grows, resales may become available. A buyer acquires the store subject to franchisor approval. Our article on buying a franchise resale covers the process.
Financing Options for a Gelatissimo Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. For eligible unit franchisees, the SBA 7(a) program can fund the franchise fee, build-out, equipment and working capital. See our SBA 7(a) loans page.
SBA 504 loans. The SBA 504 program finances owner-occupied real estate and long-lived equipment. Most gelato stores lease their space, so 504 rarely fits unless the owner buys the building.
Conventional term loans. Master franchisees and experienced operators may use a conventional business loan, which is the main route for master franchise deals.
Equipment financing. Batch freezers, blast freezers, display cabinets and refrigeration can be financed separately. Learn about restaurant equipment financing.
Working capital and lines of credit. Gelato sales rise in warm months and slow in cooler ones, depending on the market. A line of credit helps cover rent and payroll through slower periods. See our restaurant working capital options.
Seller financing on resales. A seller may carry a note for part of the price. Seller notes are typically subordinate to the primary loan, and some programs limit their terms.
SBA Loans for Gelatissimo Franchisees
Gelatissimo appears on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S8574 with two notes.
The lease note. “When the real estate where the franchise business is located will secure the SBA-guaranteed loan, the Addendum to Lease may not be executed.” A lease addendum usually gives the franchisor rights to take over the premises if the franchisee defaults. If you own the property and pledge it as collateral for your SBA loan, there is no lease to amend, so the addendum should not be signed.
The master franchise note. “Applicants operating under the Master Franchise Agreement are not eligible for SBA assistance.” In plain terms, a business that holds regional master franchise rights cannot use SBA-guaranteed financing for that business. Unit franchisees operating a store under a standard franchise agreement are the ones the listing is designed to cover. Ask your lender to confirm which agreement you will sign before you apply.
The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million (program rules can change).
SBA application tips.
- Confirm in writing that you are signing a unit franchise agreement.
- Match your request to Item 7 and to contractor and equipment quotes.
- Show seasonality in monthly projections.
- Estimate payments with our SBA loan calculator.
How Lenders Evaluate a Gelatissimo Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Lenders review credit, tax returns and debts, and typically require a personal guarantee.
Net worth and liquidity. Expect an equity injection plus reserves, especially for a newer US system.
Industry and management experience. Food-service or retail management experience is highly valued.
Business plan and projections. Base assumptions on foot traffic, average ticket, seasonality, cake and take-home sales, labor and ingredient costs.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders read fees, territory, term, transfer rules and whether you contract with the franchisor or a master franchisee. Our guide to reading an FDD for financing covers what matters most.
Site and lease. Lenders review the lease term, rent, co-tenancy and landlord consents.
Historical financials for resales. Expect several years of sales reports and tax returns.
Gelato Equipment and Production
Because gelato is made fresh in store daily, the back of house is a small production kitchen.
- Production: batch freezers, mixers and pasteurizing equipment.
- Storage: blast freezers and walk-in or reach-in freezers.
- Display: refrigerated gelato cabinets that hold the flavor range at serving temperature.
- Utilities: electrical capacity, water and drainage sized for production.
Financing equipment separately preserves cash for build-out and working capital.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development Agreements
The US system has grown in part through master franchisees opening multiple stores in a region. Unit franchisees who want a second store usually finance each one separately, with the first store’s results supporting the next. Master franchisees should expect conventional financing for each store, given the directory note.
Real-World Scenarios
The unit franchisee. A former café manager signs a unit agreement for a store in a busy shopping district. An SBA 7(a) loan covers the build-out, fee and working capital, and the display cabinets and freezers are financed separately.
The master franchisee. A multi-unit food-service operator takes regional master rights. Because SBA assistance is not available under the master agreement, the operator uses a conventional loan and equity for the first stores.
The seasonal market. An owner in a northern market adds a line of credit to cover rent and payroll in winter, while promoting cakes and take-home packs.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming SBA financing is available to a master franchisee.
- Using Australian figures to budget a US store.
- Projecting summer sales for the whole year.
- Underestimating electrical and plumbing work for production equipment.
- Leaving too little working capital for the first slow season.
For more, read our article on restaurant loan mistakes.
Next Steps to Finance Your Gelatissimo Franchise
Step 1: Request the US FDD. Review Items 5, 6, 7, 10, 12 and 17 with a franchise attorney.
Step 2: Confirm your agreement type. Determine whether you will sign a unit or master franchise agreement.
Step 3: Find a site. Confirm foot traffic, utilities and lease terms.
Step 4: Gather bids and documents. Collect build-out and equipment quotes, tax returns and a personal financial statement.
Step 5: Build projections. Model seasonality and product mix.
Step 6: Apply and coordinate. Align lease signing, loan closing and the construction schedule.
Gelatissimo Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does a Gelatissimo franchise cost?
The US estimated initial investment is in Item 7 of the US FDD. It depends on store format, size and build-out.
What is the Gelatissimo franchise fee?
The initial franchise fee is in Item 5 of the US FDD.
What royalty does Gelatissimo charge?
The royalty and marketing fees are in Item 6 of the US FDD.
How much liquid capital do I need?
We could not verify a US minimum. Expect lenders to require an equity injection and reserves.
Is Gelatissimo eligible for SBA loans?
Gelatissimo is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S8574. Unit franchisees may be eligible, but applicants operating under the Master Franchise Agreement are not eligible for SBA assistance.
Can a master franchisee get a Gelatissimo franchise loan?
Yes, through conventional financing rather than SBA programs.
Can I finance gelato equipment separately?
Yes. Freezers, display cabinets and production equipment can be financed with equipment loans or leases.
Can a first-time owner get a Gelatissimo franchise loan?
Yes, with good credit, enough liquidity and relevant food-service or management experience.
Does Gelatissimo offer financing?
Item 10 of the US FDD discloses whether the franchisor offers financing to US franchisees.
How long is the franchise term?
Term, renewal and transfer conditions are in Item 17 of the US FDD.
Final Thoughts
A Gelatissimo franchise loan starts with one key question: are you signing a unit agreement or a master agreement? From there, a well-planned build-out, equipment financed wisely and enough working capital for the slow season give a new US store its best start.
US Professional Funding helps franchise buyers and owners finance start-ups, acquisitions, equipment and working capital. Learn more about our franchise financing and restaurant financing solutions.
