Il Gelato’s fresh project

PERTH ice cream business Il Gelato plans to expand its operation from three stores to 15 throughout Western Australia from early next year.

Following the success of Il Gelato’s first two outlets, in Subiaco and Cottesloe, the company’s six partners (four in Perth and two in Italy) agreed to begin development of a franchise model.

Il Gelato’s partners include Tony Calabro, Alfonso Puzzarini, ‘head chef’ Luca Naldoni and the directors of Siena’s in Mt Lawley and Leederville.

“We have some reserved sites already but are still yet to be confirmed. They are in the city, Rockingham and Fremantle,” Mr Calabro told WA Business News.

While the Subiaco and Cottesloe stores are company owned, Il Gelato in Northbridge is individually owned and so too will be the Leederville shop, soon to open on Oxford Street.

But the plans also include a possible expansion of the business interstate and into Asian markets.

“Perth is our test market and we want to be the market leader here first, with a strong brand and a successful franchise system,” Mr Calabro said.

And the team at Il Gelato is confident its product will achieve broad appeal, having won a gold and three silver gongs at the 2005 Perth Royal Show ice cream awards. 

Mr Naldoni said the group was very proud of the result because the aim had always been to create the best gelato in the true Italian artisan style manner.

“Our unique flavours, made fresh daily, use real ingredients like fresh fruit to give our gelato a distinct natural taste,” he said.

“Our gelato is different because unlike most ice creams it is milk based only and no cream is used.”

And although it is still under wraps, next month Il Gelato will take on a new look and brand following work by Luciano D’Ambrogio from Ad Impact Advertising.

The inspiration for Il Gelato came during a holiday to Perth several years ago, during which Messrs Nuldoni and Puzzarini were taken aback by the dearth of gelato bars.

Together with the directors of Siena’s in Mt Lawley and Leederville, the pair began selling gelato through a takeaway shop next to Siena’s in Leederville – and the rest is history.