Founded in 2006 by Yasser Ali and Nayyer Hussain, Amore Gelato brings a freshly crafted range of delicious Italian gelatos to India! With the mission to make premium gelato affordable for everyone, the brand has flourished over the years. Once a 100 square feet outlet in Bandra, Mumbai, it has now expanded to 30+ outlets across key Indian cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Pune.

How It All Began

Yasser always loved ice creams! When he went to university in America, he ended up working at a local ice cream parlor and quickly gained a reputation for his sundaes and milkshakes. It was a passion he carried with him, which would eventually lead to the creation of Amore Gelato.

During his college time, Yasser visited India, where the roots of his family belonged. Trekking through the Himalayas, he realised that he wanted to return home. Yasser adds, “I got a job at a bar in Santa Barbara and did everything from unclogging toilets to taking out the garbage to save enough money for the big move.”

Yasser finally made his way back to India in 2002. He started an NGO called RISE, focused on rebuilding schools and advancing education throughout the country. During this period, he chose to live in an ashram in Rishikesh for a couple of months and devoted his time to meditation.

He met Nayyer in 2003 and went on to set up Amore Gelato with him. What began as a chance meeting at a wedding in Chicago quickly developed into a close friendship. They discovered that their interests complemented each other perfectly and before long, they realized their potential as a strong team.

One day, while chatting over coffee right before they were about to part ways, Nayyer mentioned to Yasser, “India needs quality ice creams. We need to bring the best gelatos to the country, made with natural and genuine flavors.” That simple comment planted the seed for the creation of Amore Gelato and sorbetto.

The Italian Influence

Nayyer was deeply inspired by his Italian wife, Christina, who often observed that while India had quality pizzas and burgers, authentic gelato was missing from the country’s food landscape. In their quest to craft truly authentic products, they joined forces with Costanzo Malatto, an extremely reputed gelato chef from Italy.

Together, they curated what would become Amore Gelato’s signature menu. It offers everything from the indulgent richness of coffee fudge brownie to the fresh burst of Mahabaleshwar strawberry sorbetto.

Overcoming Obstacles to Scoop Up Success

Owing to the fresh concept, the brand witnessed tremendous growth in the first year, although the journey was far from smooth. Yasser adds, “We faced many challenges, from the 2006 cinema strike, the 2008 economic downturn to the Mumbai terror attack. However, nothing hit harder than COVID-19, which wiped out 95% of our sales.”

Reflecting on the post lockdown phase as life went back to normal, he says, “It was like starting from scratch. In order to cut down on expenses and expand further, we had to quickly pivot to a cloud kitchen model and operate like a bootstrapped startup.” It was then that things took off and the brand witnessed explosive growth.

Yasser recalled a pivotal moment in his journey: being selected to appear on Shark Tank India in 2023. The process had been long and competitive; it took six months of applications and his company was one of 163 businesses chosen from over 200,000 hopefuls to be featured on Season 2 of the show.

But the real challenge came after filming. Yasser and his team had just four months between taping the episode and its air date—a short window, but one they were determined to make the most of. “We went from five dark stores in Mumbai to 60 outlets in five cities,” Yasser shared. The rapid expansion was entirely self-funded, and they had no guarantee their episode would even make it to air, he admits. Yet the risk paid off, marking a milestone not only for their business but also for Yasser’s own journey as an entrepreneur. Once the episode was broadcast, it brought national exposure and with it, a surge in visibility that sent their sales soaring.

Elevating the Gelato Experience

Over the years, the restaurant has built an incredible reputation and collected several prestigious awards, including three special recognitions for quality at SIGEP—the world’s largest International Gelato Competition in Italy. In both 2007 and 2008, they took home top honors for Best Flavor (Coffee). Their innovative creations, like “Passaggio in India” in 2008 and “Masala Latte” in 2009, also grabbed the spotlight.

The brand’s journey goes beyond creating delectable desserts; they believe in leaving a meaningful impact. Among the brand’s standout initiatives is “Cones for a Cause,” where they hired women who were the sole providers for their families. Many of these women have been with the company for over a decade.

Yasser says, “At Amore Gelato, we don’t just sell a product — we sell a feeling of love, the very ingredient that binds us all. We channelize that feeling as we craft each gelato with care and consistency. Our gelatos are value for money and distinguished for their packaging. But above all, we are a value based business”

With the goal of reaching a broader customer base, the brand onboarded itself on Zomato. This collaboration has significantly expanded its reach. Yasser shares, “Outside of improving visibility, the platform has enabled us to increase our sales exponentially.” He goes on to say, “It is with the help of the extensive delivery fleet that we are able to service customers across the country. All this, while ensuring that we maintain customer satisfaction and adapt to the latest market trends.”

Amore Gelato continues to thrive by putting innovation at its core. Yasser says, “We’ve transformed our franchise model by developing the MAESTRO system. The word maestro stands for teacher.”

He adds, “The system makes fresh gelato possible in just 100 sq. feet with unskilled labor. All you need to do is cut the bag containing the gelato mix and milk, press a button, and there you have it—perfect gelato every time!” MAESTRO allows for easy setup of small satellite kitchens, so anyone can serve up fresh, delicious gelato like a pro.

Exciting Plans Ahead!

The brand has built a strong reputation for whipping up premium Italian ice creams, known for their exceptional quality at affordable prices. They’re now gearing up for a major expansion in India through franchising, offering pre-packaged products, online platforms, and setting up multiple kitchens across the country. In terms of product, they are all set to introduce high-protein, KETO and probiotic options.

As Amore Gelato continues to expand, its founders remain committed to their original mission of making high quality, authentic gelato accessible to all. Whether through their unique offerings or heartfelt initiatives, the brand is dedicated to bringing joy to customers across India for years to come.