Ultimate Franchise Systems, a franchise management company, announced today that it has signed an agreement with Minnesota-based Gelati Co, a privately held, specialty Premium Ice Cream Manufacturer, to franchise both domestically and internationally under the Gelati-da® trademark.

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Gelati Co. produces and markets “The World’s Original Ice Cream®” first invented in the 16th Century during the Italian Renaissance. Made with all natural ingredients, imported flavors and no preservatives or eggs, it boasts up to half the calories and 4 to 15 times less fat and cholesterol than economy, premium or super-premium ice creams (such as Ben and Jerry’s® or Haagen Dazs®).


Christopher M. Swartz, President & CEO of Ultimate Franchise Systems, said: “Our management team is very excited about the opportunity of developing Gelati-da into a franchise concept. There is no doubt that market demand for premium ice creams is and will remain strong far into the future as evidenced by mega mergers such as Ben and Jerry’s being sold for US$326m to Unilever and more recently, the remaining 50% of the American rights to Haagen Dazs sold to Nestle SA for US$641m by General Mills.


“We feel Gelati-da is a superior product due to its rich taste, yet lack of fat and cholesterol (which the health/diet conscious market is looking for). We shall be marketing franchises in both free-standing kiosk as well as sit-down “gelateria” formats.”


David Cannon, CEO of Gelati Co, commented: “We are very excited about franchising our products and brand. With the experienced team at Ultimate Franchise, and their established channels of distribution, we feel this will be the catalyst to grow our concept at an accelerated rate.”

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