Sphera Franchise Group, the largest foodservice group in Romania, opens its first Cioccolatitaliani store in the seaside resort of Riccione, in Italy’s Rimini tourist area. This inauguration marks the official launch of Sphera Group’s development plan for the premium Italian brand of coffee, gelato, and pastry, under which it will open four locations annually in Italy over the next five years. The investment in the Riccione store amounts to approximately EUR 600,000.
“We are at a pivotal moment in the evolution of Sphera Group – the partnership with Gioia Group, a benchmark name in the gelato market, and the opening of the first Cioccolatitaliani unit represent an important step in diversifying our portfolio. We strategically chose Riccione for its excellent location, high visibility, and heavy tourist traffic during the summer season. It is the ideal place to test and refine the operational model, leveraging synergies between teams, infrastructure, and existing supply chains. The brand enables access to a new market segment and consumer base, and we are confident that Cioccolatitaliani will play a significant role in our growth strategy in the coming years,” said Călin Ionescu, CEO, Sphera Franchise Group.
The new Cioccolatitaliani location is expected to reach breakeven after about one year of operation and to generate annual sales of around EUR 750,000. This strong profitability potential is one of the reasons Sphera Group decided to include the brand in its portfolio.
The newly opened store is located on one of Riccione’s busiest streets, has a surface area of approximately 90 square meters, and includes 30 outdoor seats. The concept follows the classic Cioccolatitaliani format, featuring a menu centered on artisanal gelato, premium pastries, and a variety of coffee drinks – all marked by the signature Fino de Aroma cocoa used by the brand. The unit operates from morning until midnight, in line with the area’s specifics.
Sphera acquired the franchise rights for Cioccolatitaliani from the Italian Gioia Group in autumn 2024 and plans to open 20 stores in the next five years, including expanding the brand to the Romanian market starting next year.
Founded in 2009 by the Ferrieri family, with over 40 years of experience in the pastry field, the Cioccolatitaliani brand is known for its commitment to premium ingredients, including Fino de Aroma – one of the rarest and most appreciated cocoa varieties in the world. Cioccolatitaliani’s product range includes a variety of items, such as artisanal gelato in multiple flavors made with high-quality ingredients, chocolate bars, pralines, and other offerings made from the renowned Fino de Aroma cocoa. The brand also offers gourmet coffee beverages like espresso and cappuccino, freshly baked Italian pastries, pancakes, and waffles served with chocolate-flavored gelato and assorted toppings.
The Cioccolatitaliani network currently includes over 40 locations, primarily in Italy but also in the Balkans, the Middle East, and North Africa, confirming its international growth potential. Gioia Group is a food retail umbrella company managing the Cioccolatitaliani and Bun Burgers brands. The group operates over 60 locations worldwide. Contributor Vlad Anghel
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