Up to £3m debt raise for growing UK Premium Gelato Chain with around 30 Stores and Expanding B2B & Retail Sales
Company Description
The company is a growing UK-based premium gelato chain focused on authentic Italian artisan gelato and operating a network of around 30 stores. It combines a proven direct-to-consumer retail presence with an established B2B channel serving restaurants, resorts and hotels, creating a diversified operating model. The company’s positioning is supported by a strong premium brand, a scalable multi-site footprint and exposure to multiple sales channels. In addition, the business is beginning to expand into retail distribution, providing a further avenue for growth.
Industry sector
Catering / Food / Animal feedThe company offers authentic Italian artisan gelato positioned in the premium segment, combining high product quality with a distinctive brand experience across its store network and wholesale channels. Its range is tailored to both individual consumers and hospitality partners, enabling flexible formats and consistent quality across on-site consumption and trade supply. The product proposition is distinguished by its artisanal heritage, premium positioning and suitability for further expansion into retail distribution.
The company serves a diversified customer base across both B2C and B2B channels. Its B2C customers are primarily individual consumers purchasing premium artisan gelato through the company’s store network, while its B2B customers include restaurants, resorts and hotels that use the products to complement their own food and beverage offering. The company started to sell through retailers. This balanced customer mix supports recurring demand across multiple end markets and reduces dependence on any single customer group. Customer loyalty is driven by the company’s premium brand positioning, authentic Italian artisan proposition and consistent product quality.
The company operates in the premium gelato and artisanal dessert market in the United Kingdom, with additional exposure to the hospitality and retail food sectors. This market benefits from sustained consumer demand for high-quality, authentic, and indulgent food concepts, supported by growing interest in premiumisation and experiential consumption. Further growth is driven by expanding distribution opportunities across hospitality, events and retail channels, creating multiple avenues for scale. The company is well positioned to benefit from these trends through its focus on iconic Italian artisan gelato and its established presence in a large and attractive consumer market.
The Company operates in a fragmented premium dessert and ice cream market, competing with artisan gelato boutiques, premium ice cream brands, dessert chains, cafés and, increasingly, retail freezer offerings. Similar chains include Amarino or Venchi. Its differentiated positioning around authentic Italian artisan gelato produced in house across 3 production units. They have their own signature Florentine cream that defines the brand.