Does Amorino allow a Store to suggest alternative suppliers?

According to Amorino's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are not permitted to suggest alternative suppliers. The FDD explicitly states that Amorino does not allow Stores to suggest alternative suppliers, and consequently, there is no procedure in place for franchisees to propose or for Amorino to approve different suppliers.

This restriction means that franchisees must purchase the majority of their supplies from Amorino's approved vendors, including affiliates like Amorino Trading and -18°. Specifically, the FDD notes that franchisees are required to purchase 100% of their consumables and 30% of other purchases from these affiliates. Amorino retains the right to change approved suppliers in the future and require all Stores to purchase from these different suppliers.

This policy ensures uniformity and quality control across all Amorino locations, but it also limits the franchisee's ability to negotiate better prices or source unique products independently. Given that a significant portion of a franchisee's expenditures, estimated between 20% to 40% of total annual operating expenses, are subject to these sourcing restrictions, this could impact profitability. Prospective franchisees should carefully consider these restrictions and their potential financial implications.

Furthermore, the FDD indicates that Amorino's officers have ownership interests in affiliated supplier companies like Amorino Trading and -18°. This arrangement means that Amorino and its officers may benefit financially from the franchisee's required purchases, as the price franchisees pay for required products, including gelato, is marked up from the wholesale price. While Amorino does not charge a royalty, this markup on mandatory purchases serves as a revenue stream for the company and its owners.