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Paciugo creates gelato according to the Italian artisanal tradition. Born and raised in Turin, Italy, we learned the art of gelato in Italy by the traditional way of apprenticeship. After years of hard work developing recipes, production methods, machinery, store formats, location profiles and training, Paciugo has the winning model. Franchisees share our vision of introducing authentic Italian gelato throughout the United States, and we believe Paciugo franchise ownership is an attractive business opportunity. Franchises are available with Paciugo throughout the United States. A Proven Product Our history offers a glimpse into the possibilities at Paciugo, beginning in 2000 when the first Paciugo gelateria opened at West Lovers Lane in Dallas, Texas. Paciugo quickly developed a loyal following, and by 2004 had a local presence with eight stores and kiosks operating in the Dallas Metroplex. Paciugo’s success is grounded in our commitment to the authentic Italian gelato tradition. We do not sacrifice our product for cheaper or faster alternatives, and our customers recognize this. That is why our customer survey results in 2005 rated Paciugo gelato higher than premium ice cream food service concepts in the categories of better health, lower fat, superior taste, and higher quality. Nutritionally Sound Paciugo gelato is made with whole milk, or water, or soy; no cream or other fats. Paciugo selects only the freshest, all-natural ingredients, and makes gelato by hand daily in small batches to retain the best quality of our product. In the few recipes that traditionally call for it, such as Tiramisu and Cheesecake, we add small amounts of egg yolk. Our gelato is trans-fat free, no preservatives added, and does not contain high fructose corn syrup. Paciugo gelato is also one of the few frozen desserts that contains high counts of protein, calcium, vitamins and fibers, and fits the FDA’s standard as “Healthy Food.” When you represent our product, you represent a product that is not only great tasting, but better for you than most other frozen desserts. Purchasing Power We have direct access to the best Italian suppliers for the highest quality and most cost effective ingredients and machinery. A Good Brand Paciugo is a trusted brand because we stand firm behind our motto, Ante Lucrum Nomen “Reputation before Profit.” Most of our early franchisees are long-time Paciugo customers or had been Paciugo employees. As our franchisee, you can rest assured that you are representing a first-class and honest brand.
Personalized Support As a franchisee, you will have direct contact with the owners Ugo, Cristiana and Vincenzo Ginatta and the Paciugo team of well-trained specialists, all ready to support your needs. From the moment you sign your franchise agreement, you will have access to the “Paciugo Turnkey and System Standards”, our online support network, which will guide you to a successful opening. Access to the “Store Manager” website will then guide you from the opening onward. You will follow the Managers Certification training at Paciugo Corporate Headquarters. During the ten days of training, you will receive instruction on operations, gelato production, gelato serving, customer service, systems standards, inventory, ordering, catering, marketing and human resource management. Site Selection & Negotiation The Paciugo Real Estate team will work to find the most advantageous location with the most competitive cost, in each agreed area for the new gelateria. The franchisee will be totally involved in this process and will work toward successful selection, lease negotiation and signing to secure a targeted space. Store Design and Build-Out Support Our Paciugo architects will work with you producing plans to turn your space into an efficient and beautiful Paciugo gelateria. The Paciugo architects design the store configurations of your new space, secure building permits and monitor the build-out of the store and installation of the equipment. Paciugo is with you from the initial lay-out to store completion. Grand Opening The Paciugo team will guide you through the opening process, from template designs for promotional signage and print materials, to consultation on public relations, media and advertising/direct mail information. Paciugo will be on-site with you for several days to assist with additional needs as they may arise during this important and exciting event. Marketing Paciugo provides essential marketing tools for in-store customer information, local promotions, advertising, e-marketing programs, and local marketing consulting. Nationally, we target major print and media outlets with strategic public relations campaigns to promote the Paciugo brand as the leading authentic Italian gelateria concept. How did Paciugo get started?
Paciugo was started by Ugo Ginatta, his wife Cristiana, and his son, Vincenzo. After moving from Torino, Italy to Dallas, Texas the Ginatta family opened the first Paciugo gelateria on West Lovers Lane in Dallas, Texas on September 9, 2000. It was an instant hit within the community and by the end of 2001 the Ginatta family had opened two more Paciugo stores in Dallas. How many Paciugo stores are in operation and where are they located? As of July 2007, Paciugo has twenty-four units in operation. These include co-located kiosks and storefront formats in shopping centers. Half of the gelaterie (gelato parlors) are located in the Dallas/Ft.Worth area. There are also units in Florida, Colorado, Wisconsin, Iowa, Montana, other major cities in Texas and two locations in Mexico. Openings are planned soon in California, Missouri, Arizona, Kansas and other states. Paciugo is in a growth phase with new openings currently being scheduled. Please check the Paciugo website at www.paciugo.com/locations for the latest list of locations. When did Paciugo start franchising? Paciugo received requests for franchising as soon as the Ginatta family opened the first gelateria in September 2000. Though all necessary documents and legal preparations were ready to start franchising in July 2001, the family decided to wait. They wanted to perfect an easy, error-proof and delicious way of making fresh gelato. Also, they needed to research the ideal real estate by experimenting with corporate stores in different types of locations, as well as perfect the training material, select the best equipment and negotiate advantageous prices. In 2004 they were finally satisfied, and began to franchise in August of that year. Long-time customers and former Paciugo employees who had eagerly waited for the chance to open their own gelateria became franchisees. Proving their own success, many of these first franchisees have contracted to open more stores - some, more than ten. For the last three years, new franchise owners have consistently bought into the franchise. Paciugo now fields franchising information requests daily. What is the inspiration behind Paciugo Gelato? If you’ve ever tasted fresh gelato in Italy, you’ll understand what Paciugo is creating. Every morning Italian gelato masters make their gelato using fresh, natural ingredients. It’s a staple of Italian culture that, until recently, required a trip to Italy to enjoy. Now, Paciugo is bringing this genuine Italian gelato experience to consumers outside of Europe. What does a ‘genuine Italian gelato experience’ mean? Following the practices of the famous Italian gelato artisans, each Paciugo gelateria makes gelato fresh by hand every morning. Only the finest, natural, wholesome ingredients are used – no preservatives or substances such as high fructose corn syrup or transfats are allowed. The result is a healthy frozen dessert, bursting with intense flavors. This unique treat is served up by expertly-trained, friendly personnel in a cheerful, up-scale store environment. How does Paciugo create a ‘genuine Italian gelato experience’? While apprenticing in a classic gelateria in Torino, Italy, Cristiana mastered the art of gelato-making practiced by her grandfather. The Ginattas are bringing the Paciugo concept alive in the United States by using ingredients from their own specialized Italian artisans. Since the flavors in authentic gelato are intense, the selection and quality of the ingredients are of critical importance to the gelato tasting experience. The Ginattas further their gelato authenticity by exclusively requiring specialized Italian equipment in all of their stores in order to make and display genuine Italian gelato, fresh daily. As Paciugo expands, how does Paciugo maintain the authentic experience? Paciugo has carefully developed an advanced know-how for producing and distributing to numerous locations its high-quality, easy-to-use ingredients. Implementation of this process has proven to be very successful. It has enabled Paciugo to expand nationally and internationally without compromising on the taste, freshness or quality of the gelato. How does gelato differ from ice cream? Ice cream starts with cream. By law, regular ice cream contains at least 10% butterfat and premium ice cream contains 14% -18% fat. In contrast, Paciugo gelato is made with whole milk, resulting in a frozen dessert with up to 70% less fat than ice cream. In addition to a milk-based gelato, Paciugo offers a water-based, fat-free sorbetto, a soy-based gelato, and a No Sugar Added (NSA) version of gelato. Paciugo gelato and sorbetto are made fresh daily, are smoother in texture than ice cream, and are prepared by hand in small batches for optimum taste. In July 2007, in an article about National Ice Cream Month, Entrepreneur.com reported that men and women most frequently choose to break their diets on ice cream and are looking for tasty alternatives. By choosing Paciugo gelato, people choose the delicious, healthier frozen dessert. For more information on the differences between gelato and traditional ice cream, please refer to the Paciugo document, ‘Crafting Perfectly Delicious Gelato, The Paciugo Way’. How many gelato flavor choices does Paciugo offer? Cristiana Ginatta, Paciugo’s Mastro Gelataio has created over 200 recipes. Some are traditional Italian recipes while others are inspired by other cultures and cuisines. Each gelateria serves an assortment of 32 to 40 flavors each day and many feature seasonal flavors as well. Is there more to Paciugo than gelato? Yes, though gelato is the main attraction and for a good reason. Consumers love our gelato! Most Paciugo locations serve Tartufi (gelato cakes), also made in-store, and complementary menu items including coffee, specialty drinks and bottled beverages. A few carefully selected locations are test marketing additional items. Though Paciugo does diversify its menu options, in order to preserve the strength of the Paciugo brand, non-gelato menu items must be as premium quality as our gelato. Do coffee and gelato go together? Italian tradition includes sipping coffee while savoring gelato. The Ginattas know gelato, and the Ginattas know coffee. More than 40 years ago, Ugo Ginatta owned a coffee plantation in Thika, Kenya and has brought to Paciugo that same passion for full-bodied coffee. Paciugo now offers 100% Arabica coffee blends, made with the highest-quality coffee beans, produced by local, specialized growers in Africa, Central America and East Asia. Paciugo only supports suppliers who promote fair trade and environmentally-friendly practices, ensuring that Paciugo coffee beans are grown by using traditional and sustainable methods. Paciugo is very proud to present its premium house brand, Paciugo Gran Miscela brand coffee. It is a collection of fine coffee blends, each specially chosen and perfectly roasted to complement the sweetness of gelato. With a traditional coffee menu offering of light roast, dark roast, Vienna roast, decaf and espresso, and specialty drinks such as Affogato al Caffè (scoops of gelato drowned in espresso) and Cappuccino con Gelato (cappuccino flavored with delicious gelato instead of syrups), Paciugo Gran Miscela offers many ways to combine the best of coffee with the best gelato. Who is Paciugo’s target market? When introducing Paciugo to a new market, Paciugo targets discerning consumers with high expectations for quality and flavor variety in gelato. Paciugo consumers want premium, healthy and more nutritious food choices and are eager to spend time and money to search for remarkable flavors, freshness and authenticity. Demographically, they are well-educated individuals, single and married, 25-44 years of age and representing a wide range of income levels. They are important spokespeople who spread the word of Paciugo gelato to a broad range of consumers within their communities. How does Paciugo market to consumers? Many of our customers do the marketing for us. Paciugo gelato is so amazing that many of our customers can’t help but spread by word-of-mouth the Paciugo name to family, friends, and co-workers. We reach out to the local community about our products through event catering, a considerable number of charitable contributions, media relations and a strong web presence. As Paciugo grows, our ability to add new marketing programs expands as well. Who would not eat Paciugo gelato? Paciugo appeals to all consumers. People of all cultures, races, religions, ethnicities, diets and geographical locations love Paciugo gelato. Although Paciugo stores are not Kosher, Paciugo gelato key ingredients are. Paciugo is Halal. Paciugo gelato is perfect for vegetarians because it has no animal products other than milk. (In the very few recipes that traditionally call for it, such as Tiramisu and Cheesecake, we add small amounts of egg yolk. Please ask your server.) Paciugo gelato, being low in fat, is perfect for individuals who are lactose intolerant. Our fruit gelato (sorbets) are fat free and dairy free. Everyone likes Paciugo! What events does Paciugo cater? Paciugo caters a wide variety of events including wedding receptions, holiday parties, private parties, employee and tenant appreciation events, bar and bat-mitzvahs and all charitable activities. The client may either select from existing catering packages, or create their own. What is the typical format for a Paciugo storefront? The current Paciugo storefront format is designed to enhance the customer experience by engaging the five senses. The atmosphere projects a relaxing and welcoming feeling through the use of comfortable seating, soft lighting, modern Italian background music, a pleasant aroma, and the chic, transparent, and well-lit gelato display cases. The kiosk format is useful for co-locating in shared complexes such as malls, arenas, or airports and includes a subset of the features found in the storefront style. How is Paciugo connected to the community? Every year, Paciugo Corporate Headquarters makes over forty major donations for a variety of charitable fundraisers. Additionally, our franchisees donate Paciugo products and time for local fundraising, in efforts to give back to their own communities. Crafting Perfectly Delicious Gelato,
Paciugo is franchising in all states.
In order to facilitate access to Small Business Administration financing, Paciugo is on the Frandata list of SBA pre-approved UFOCs. Wherever applying for a loan your lender knows that Paciugo UFOC has the local SBA unit official approval, anywhere in the U.S. Information can be located at www.frandata.com / SBA Franchise Registry. Initial Franchise Fee: $30,000 Franchisee candidates must meet our qualification standards and be compatible with the Paciugo Way. *The information on this web site does not constitute an offer to sell a franchise in those states that require registration of the franchise opportunity. We will not make any offer of a franchise opportunity in those states until after we have obtained effective registration of our franchise. We offer franchise opportunities only through our written Uniform Franchise Offering Circular.
The Paciugo Process,
From Initial Inquiry to Grand Opening
You may inquire about Paciugo Franchising opportunities online or directly. To inquire online, click the “Application” tab and fill out the required information. You may also contact Paciugo Corporate Headquarters to request more information at (214) 654.9501. Franchising information requests are received by either Ugo Ginatta, (ext. 110), or Taylor West, (ext 107). Upon initial inquiry, more Paciugo franchising information will be emailed to you, including our Paciugo Questionnaire. Step Two: Complete the Paciugo Questionnaire When you receive the initial email, fill out the Paciugo Questionnaire with as much detailed information as you are comfortable sharing with us at this time. The Questionnaire is a simple form that provides Paciugo with information on your background, how you became interested in Paciugo, and your financial plans. After you have returned this form to us, our process is to complete a qualifying review to determine if your request will be a match for our franchise. Upon determination of successful qualifications, we will send to you the Paciugo Uniform Franchise Offering Circular (UFOC). Step Three: Review the Paciugo UFOC The Paciugo Uniform Franchise Offering Circular will give you detailed information about our franchise. It is important to continue your research during this step, and to have your franchise lawyers review the UFOC. Step Four: Visit the Paciugo Headquarters, Dallas Stores and Commissary We invite you to visit Dallas at this time. It is important for you, as a potential franchisee, to see store operations in each of our models – the mall, the lifestyle center and the family destination. You will enjoy the tour of our commissary where the ingredients are produced and distributed to all Paciugo gelaterie, from Billings, Montana to Acapulco, Mexico. Step Five: Sign the Franchise Agreement Upon completion of our approval process, the next step is signing the Franchise Agreement. This seals our legal commitment to each other. We become partners, and step five begins the process that leads to your Paciugo gelateria grand opening. Step Six: Complete the Real Estate Search, Lease Negotiation, and Signing The Paciugo Real Estate team will work with the franchisee to find the most advantageous location with the most competitive cost, in each agreed area for the new gelateria. The franchisee will be totally involved in this process and will work toward successful selection, lease negotiation and signing to secure a targeted space. Step Seven: Follow the Paciugo Turnkey The Paciugo Turnkey is an online tool that guides you through the sequence of activities necessary to arrive at the Grand Opening. Such activities include, but are not limited to, marketing, equipment, store build out and staffing. Step Eight: Collaborate with Architects on Design and Build Out Paciugo Architects will produce the lay-out and design the configurations of the interior of the store for maximum store efficiency and visual appeal. During this step, the franchisee will work with the architect for completion of design, permitting and build-out of the space. Step Nine: Soft Opening and Grand Opening The Paciugo professional team will provide support to the franchisee during the “soft opening”, the initial opening which intends to smooth out operations. Paciugo continues to provide support through the “grand opening”, providing template designs for promotional signage, as well as consultation on public relations, local advertising and in-store promotions. Paciugo experts will remain with you for several days. The Paciugo Management Team would like to thank you for your interest in our growing business. Although we look promising for your next business venture, we highly recommend for you to visit our stores and try the Paciugo experience first before forming your opinions. For more information, please email us at franchisor@paciugo.com or by phone at 214-654-9501 (x110). |
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