Damazônia targets 100 outlets and prioritises franchises in São Paulo

Damazônia, a gelato chain founded in Belém, in the northern Brazilian state of Pará, plans to grow from 15 to 100 outlets by 2030. To reach that target, the brand will slow the opening of company-owned outlets and prioritise franchises, initially concentrating franchisee recruitment in São Paulo. Advertised investment starts at R$130,000 (Brazilian reais) for kiosks.

Expansion shifts the balance towards franchises

Founded in 2010 by Carlos Ferreira, Damazônia operates in the states of Pará, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. According to a report published by Brazilian business magazine Exame on 29 October, the company recorded revenue of R$5 million in 2025 and forecasts growth of 10% in 2026 and 25% in 2027.

The network remains predominantly company-owned: of its 15 outlets, 12 belong to the company and three operate under franchise agreements. These include an outlet at Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, with one unusual feature: Damazônia itself funded the investment.

The decision to focus the next phase on franchising therefore represents a shift in the network’s make-up. The aim is not simply to add locations, but to increase franchisees’ share of a brand that has grown mainly through company-owned outlets.

Reaching 100 outlets would make the network almost seven times its current size. However, this is a target for 2030, not a confirmed pipeline of openings. For the franchising sector, the key development is the priority being given to the model as the route to that expansion.

São Paulo is the focus of franchisee recruitment

The geographical strategy begins with the city of São Paulo, its wider metropolitan area and municipalities within a radius of approximately 150 kilometres. The company wants to strengthen its presence in this area before moving into other markets.

The announced timetable envisages selling three new franchises by the end of 2026 and adding 15 outlets to the network over the following two years. These are separate stages of the long-term plan: signing franchise agreements should not be confused with immediately opening outlets.

This geographical focus also defines where the brand intends to seek its next partners. Although it already operates in three states, the announced recruitment priority is São Paulo, rather than simultaneous expansion across Brazil.

For prospective franchisees, this information is just as relevant as the nationwide outlet target. It indicates which locations are central to the company’s commercial plans for the next phase.

Kiosks and shops require different levels of investment

Damazônia offers two main formats. Kiosks require an initial investment starting at R$130,000, while shops start at R$250,000. These are advertised minimums, not a standard budget that applies to every location.

According to the company, estimated monthly revenue ranges from R$50,000 to R$60,000 for kiosks. For shops, the stated range is R$70,000 to R$90,000. These are the chain’s projections, not guaranteed revenue for each new franchisee.

There are also two estimates for the investment payback period. The brand’s materials state 24 to 36 months. In his interview with Exame, Ferreira gave a narrower estimate of 24 to 30 months, alongside projected monthly profitability of around 15%.

The difference between these timeframes warrants clarification when assessing the franchise. Comparing formats requires examining the assumptions behind each projection, without treating revenue as profit or an estimated payback period as a guaranteed return.

Amazonian flavours underpin the brand’s proposition

Damazônia’s identity combines Italian gelato-making techniques with Brazilian ingredients, particularly those from the Amazon region. This is the proposition the company intends to bring to new customers through franchise expansion.

Its roots in Pará are therefore central to the chain’s positioning. Rather than basing its identity solely on the product’s Italian heritage, the brand highlights Brazilian flavours as a point of difference.

The plan brings together this product proposition, two operating formats and a clear geographical priority. Delivery of the next stages will show how the chain moves from its current, largely company-owned base towards a greater franchisee presence.

In practice: anyone assessing the opportunity should confirm availability in their preferred city, request a full investment breakdown for the chosen format and clarify the assumptions behind revenue, profitability and payback projections before deciding.