Grupo Faber seeks franchisees within 400 kilometres of Rosario

Grupo Faber, the family-owned business based in Rosario, Argentina, behind Smart Helados, Tento Helados and Grado 14, is focusing its expansion on recruiting franchisees within a radius of up to 400 kilometres of the city. With more than 50 Tento and Smart franchises across Greater Rosario and Santa Fe, it aims to expand its network over the next five years, supported by in-house production and ongoing support for its outlets.

Expansion centred on Rosario

According to a report published by Caras on 31 October 2026, the group is working to grow its network and enter new regions. The clearest geographical focus of that plan is its search for franchisees within a radius of up to 400 kilometres of Rosario, where the business began.

This geographical scope distinguishes the immediate objective from the broader ambition. While network expansion is planned over the next five years, recruiting operators in the surrounding area is the current focus. This is a search for new franchisees, not an announcement of outlets that have already opened.

For those considering Argentina’s franchise market, the proposition offers an example of growth from an established regional base. Smart and Tento’s existing network is concentrated in Greater Rosario and Santa Fe; the next step is to add outlets and move into other markets.

From a family ice cream shop to a shared management structure

The group’s history began in 1972 with the opening of the first Smart Helados shop in Rosario. This is the starting point for the 54 years in business that the company is celebrating in 2026, and explains its close ties to the city in Argentina’s Santa Fe province.

Grupo Faber itself was established in 2022, when the brands were brought together under a single management structure. The family business and the organisation that now brings its brands together therefore date from different periods: trading began with Smart, while the shared structure is more recent.

Today, the group comprises Smart Helados, Tento Helados and Grado 14. The reported network of more than 50 franchises relates specifically to Tento and Smart. This distinction matters when assessing the model: having three brands within the group does not mean that all three have the same presence in its franchise network.

In-house production and distribution

The group’s own factory is a central part of its operations. Grupo Faber manages the process from production through to distribution, with the aim of maintaining consistent quality standards across its outlets.

This approach links commercial growth to the capacity to supply the network. Expansion is not simply a matter of adding outlets: it also means maintaining a consistent link between what is produced and what each outlet receives. Under the model presented by the company, that process remains under its management.

The search radius for new franchisees also provides a useful starting point for assessing locations. It does not, in itself, confirm that a franchise is available in every town or city within that distance. Prospective franchisees should check the availability of their specific location and the supply arrangements before proceeding.

Support beyond opening day

Faber’s franchise system provides assistance from the outset and continued support once an outlet is trading. Each outlet receives support from the company’s various departments to help establish its business.

This support forms part of the proposition alongside the brands and in-house production. When considering joining the network, it is worth clarifying which tasks each department covers, how day-to-day assistance is organised and which responsibilities fall to the franchisee. These are practical questions for understanding how the relationship works beyond the opening stage.

Practical takeaway: prospective Smart or Tento franchisees can use the 400-kilometre radius as an initial geographical guide, then enquire about availability in their chosen location, supply arrangements and the scope of operational support.