Two locations! Now open 2704 East Southlake Blvd. in Southlake! Opening in Dallas at 8611 Hillcrest Road suite in May. It’s low calorie! Frozen! Has a cult following! Franchises available!
D-tails Be-low.
(Dallas, TX)—Tasti D-Lite, the lower-calorie frozen dessert chain with a cult following among health-conscious consumers as well as celebrities, will open its first two Dallas outposts this spring, one in 2704 East Southlake Blvd. suite 102 in Southlake and a second location at 8611 Hillcrest Road suite 185 in Dallas. The Southlake location is expected to open March 31 and the Dallas location will open in May.
Francisco and Patricia Gomez-Palacio, Tasti D-Lite’s area developer for Dallas, have signed an agreement to open at least 25 units in Dallas County and part of Tarrant County over the next 10 years. They will own and manage one of the locations opening this spring, on Hillcrest Road in Dallas.
Marcela and Francisco Capetillo, who recently emigrated to the U.S. from Mexico where they were both lawyers, will open the other area location in Southlake. They currently live in Southlake with their three daughters. Francisco Capetillo will continue to practice intellectual property law as an external legal advisor for his law firm in Mexico while Marcela will handle the day-to-day operations of the Tasti D-Lite Center.
Like the Capetillos, the Gomez-Palacios also emigrated from Mexico, which they did 13 years ago. Now a U.S. citizen, Francisco Gomez-Palacio is using his bi-cultural experience to bring millions of dollars of investment to Dallas by recruiting U.S. residents as well as foreign entrepreneurs, such as the Capetillos, to become Tasti D-Lite franchisees. As a dedicated area developer, he will also offer relocation services to foreign franchisees through his company, Vente, LLC.
“The guidance Francisco Gomez-Palacio has provided in helping us relocate to the U.S. to start this business has been invaluable,” said Marcela. “We are first time franchisees and, while moving here at the same time we’re getting the business off the ground has been a bit daunting, we are so excited to introduce Tasti D-Lite to the Dallas-Fort Worth market. We know local residents will fall in love with Tasti’s delicious, healthier treats the first time they try them, just like we did and just like so many people have in Houston and other markets across the country.”
Since its inception in 1987, Tasti D-Lite’s popularity has grown largely by word of mouth and has resulted in a huge base of raving fans who line up day and night to get their favorite guilt-free treat, available in more than 100 flavors. With Tasti D-Lite, health-conscious individuals can enjoy a dessert that is made with natural ingredients including real dairy, contains no artificial sweeteners and is lower in calories, carbs and sugar than ice cream and leading frozen yogurt brands. Thanks to unsolicited international exposure on TV shows such as “30 Rock,” “Sex and the City” and “The Apprentice” along with new store openings, demand for the brand has grown worldwide. Tasti D-Lite is now poised for growth throughout the U.S. and around the world with plans to build a global 500-center franchise network through a combination of single- and multi-unit franchises, area developers and international master franchises.
“We’re excited to continue our growth in Texas,” said Jim Amos, Tasti D-Lite’s chairman and CEO. “Houston residents have become big fans of Tasti since we expanded there almost two years ago. That’s why we’re sure Dallas residents will do the same and embrace Tasti D-Lite for what it is – not just a great-tasting, better-for-you frozen treat but really a celebration of life, health and happiness. We’re proud to have such passionate franchisees as the Capetillos joining the Gomez-Palacios as we expand Tasti D-Lite across Texas and specifically into the Dallas market.”
Tasti D-Lite first launched its franchise program in 2008. Since then, the company has grown to 50 locations and has secured commitments to open over 300 locations in the coming years. During the past year, Tasti D-Lite has opened new stores in Texas, Florida, Tennessee, Arizona, Connecticut, Nevada, New York and New Jersey and expects to open new stores in Maryland and Missouri, as well as the new Texas locations in the Dallas area, in the coming months. Internationally, the company already has locations in South Korea, Mexico and the United Arab Emirates and will be opening its first Australia location in mid-2011. Led by a world-class operating team, the company is undertaking a program of product innovation, customer engagement and service excellence.
For more information, visit www.tastidlite.com or contact Nikki Sells at 615-550-3124.
