In what year did CPF open its first company-owned Amorino store?
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.
Source: Item 1 — THE FRANCHISOR, AND ANY PARENTS, PREDECESSORS, AND AFFILIATES (FDD pages 8–12)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Amorino's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Amorino concept was founded in 2002 in Paris, France, by Cristiano Sereni and Paolo Benassi through CPF, SAS, which is now owned 100% by CPH, SAS. CPF opened its first company-owned store in 2002 in Paris, France. This indicates that the Amorino brand started with a company-owned location before expanding into franchising.
For a prospective franchisee, this information provides insight into the origins and development of the Amorino brand. Knowing that the brand began with a company-owned store may suggest that the founders had direct operational experience before offering franchises. This could be seen as a positive sign, as it implies a foundation of practical knowledge behind the franchise model.
It's also relevant that CPF began franchising in 2006, four years after opening its first store. This relatively short period between the first company-owned store and the start of franchising might be something a potential franchisee would want to explore further, understanding the reasons behind this decision and the growth strategy of the company. Understanding the history and evolution of Amorino can help a franchisee assess the stability and potential of the franchise system.