Soft Ice Cream & Gelato Trends: From Premium Desserts to Franchise Business

In today’s F&B landscape, desserts are no longer an afterthought. Soft ice cream and gelato have transformed from casual treats into lifestyle icons—appealing to consumers who crave not just flavor but also experience. This cultural shift is fueling growth worldwide, including in Southeast Asia, where dessert cafés and franchise chains are multiplying rapidly.

Premium Desserts on the Rise

Gelato, with its dense texture and rich flavor profile, stands out as a premium option. Classic Italian flavors like pistachio and stracciatella now share the stage with modern favorites such as matcha, biscoff, and even local-inspired creations. Soft ice cream, once seen as a simple cone, has evolved into a canvas for creativity—think layered parfaits, inventive toppings, and Instagram-worthy presentations.

For many businesses, these products are no longer just add-ons; they’re becoming hero items that drive customer traffic and increase spending per visit.

From Trend to Franchise Potential

The surging demand for premium frozen desserts is opening doors for franchise growth. Brands that thrive in this space share three common traits:

• Consistency achieved with professional-grade equipment.

• Strong branding and visual appeal designed for the digital era.

• Efficient operations that make expansion scalable and profitable.

For entrepreneurs and investors, this trend represents a lucrative opportunity, supported by the global popularity of premium desserts.

Technology as the Backbone

Behind every perfect swirl of soft ice cream and every scoop of authentic gelato lies advanced technology. Modern machines are engineered to deliver precision cooling, stable textures, and flexible production capacity.

Through partnerships with leading global brands, Mastrada Group provides a wide range of professional equipment tailored to cafés, restaurants, and franchise businesses. These solutions not only ensure product quality but also optimize energy efficiency and reduce long-term operational costs.

More Than Just Equipment

Adopting this trend means building a sustainable business model where premium quality and strong branding intersect. Consumers are willing to pay a premium for desserts that deliver both taste and experience. With the right equipment and strategy, businesses can position themselves at the forefront of the dessert movement.

Across Indonesia, cafés, hotels, and franchise chains are already leveraging Mastrada’s partner machines to bring world-class soft ice cream and gelato to their customers. The question is—will your business be the next success story?