Does CPF or its affiliates franchise Amorino stores in the United States?
Amorino Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Two Italians, Cristiano Sereni and Paolo Benassi, founded the Amorino concept in 2002 in Paris, France, through our affiliate CPF, SAS, a French company ("CPF"), which is now owned 100% by our affiliate holding company, CPH, SAS, a French company ("CPH"), with a desire to make gelato and sorbet the way it was traditionally supposed to be made, with natural high quality ingredients and no artificial colors or flavors. CPF opened its first company-owned store in 2002 in Paris, France and franchised its first store in 2006 in Paris, France. CPF franchises about two hundred fifty Amorino Stores in eighteen different countries including France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Qatar, Luxemburg, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States, through CPF or its affiliates.
Source: Item 1 — THE FRANCHISOR, AND ANY PARENTS, PREDECESSORS, AND AFFILIATES (FDD pages 8–12)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Amorino Franchise Disclosure Document, CPF, SAS, a French company, franchises Amorino stores in the United States through its affiliates. The FDD states that CPF franchises approximately 250 Amorino stores in eighteen different countries, including the United States, through CPF or its affiliates.
This indicates that while CPUSA LLC is the franchisor for Amorino in the United States, CPF, the French company and affiliate, plays a role in franchising stores in the U.S. through its affiliate network. Prospective franchisees should understand the relationship between CPUSA LLC and CPF, SAS, and how CPF's involvement might affect their franchise operations.
It is important to note that the Amorino brand system in the United States has undergone restructuring. Up until early 2019, Minus Zero4 was responsible for issuing unit franchises in the U.S. However, as of July 1, 2024, all Minus Zero4 franchise agreements were assigned to CPUSA. This transition highlights the evolving nature of the franchise system and the importance of understanding the current franchisor and its affiliates.
Furthermore, -18° SAS, a French company owned by CPH, is the exclusive manufacturer and direct/indirect source for a significant portion of the products necessary for operating an Amorino store in the United States. Specifically, -18° supplies 100% of the frozen products, 100% of the consumables, and 30% of other products. This reliance on a specific supplier impacts the franchisee's supply chain and product sourcing.