Gelatissimo to open in downtown Rogers

Global gelato brand Gelatissimo will open its first Arkansas store in Rogers as part of its U.S. expansion plans. The Italian-style gelato company will open a “flagship store” on Oct. 30 in a 2,175-square-foot space at 226 S. First St., Unit A.

The Australia-based brand, launched in 2002, has grown to more than 65 stores globally and has U.S. stores in Houston, Hawaii and California.

“Gelatissimo has been eying the Rogers area as a target destination for the brand for some time,” CEO Braeden Lord said. “As a business hub home to three Fortune 500 companies, including Walmart, it felt like the perfect place for a booming international brand that is establishing a credible business presence in the U.S.”

Ariel and Daniel Husband are the franchisees for the Rogers store. The Husbands will run the business with their daughter, Hayley, the store manager. The store will have two full-time and 10 to 15 part-time staff.

The Husbands plan to open five to seven locations in the area within 10 years. The next expansion area is expected to be Missouri, and they’re targeting Branson and Springfield.

According to the company, the minimum startup costs for a new store range between $265,000 and $560,000, depending on the store’s size and location.

The Husbands started working with Gelatissimo in early 2022. That summer, Ariel Husband completed culinary training in Tuscany, Italy, where she ate gelato twice daily. Daniel Husband worked for Sam’s Club for 40 years, running multiple stores before becoming director of logistics for Dallas and Seattle.

Gelatissimo, a company with multi-million-dollar annual revenue, plans to open a second California store by the end of this year. Popular gelato flavors include Mango Sorbet, Chunky New York Cheesecake, and Wicked Double Choc Brownie.