What Freddo does

Freddo is an Argentine artisanal gelato company founded in 1969 in the Recoleta neighborhood of Buenos Aires. The company produces Italian-style gelato using a proprietary process that includes mixing, pasteurization, homogeneization, and a 4-hour churning step, with fresh milk sourced from its own dairy farms (tambos) and natural fruits, without preservatives. The portfolio spans over 40 flavors across cream-based, chocolate, fruit, and dulce de leche categories, sold in cones (cucurucho), quarter-kilo, and kilo formats, alongside pre-packaged products (320g pints, tablets, bonbons), frozen desserts (Tentaciones), the premium Línea Boutique line, the Trifreddo combination format, Collezione Speciale frozen tablets, and a recently launched alfajor category.

The company generates revenue through a hybrid franchise and direct-to-consumer model. Franchise operations contribute initial fees and ongoing royalties, with franchisees receiving support across real estate, store design, operational training, marketing, and supply chain logistics. Direct-to-consumer sales occur through both company-owned and franchised gelaterias, with pricing structured by unit (cone, quarter kilo, kilo, specialty formats). Distribution is anchored by more than 175 physical locations across Argentina (120+), Uruguay, USA, Chile, Brazil, Peru, and Mexico, supplemented by an extensive network of 13+ banking and digital wallet promotional partnerships (Mastercard, Brubank, Galicia, ICBC, Naranja X, and others) that offer 20-40% discounts to drive traffic.

Customer segments center on mass-market consumers seeking premium artisanal ice cream and a secondary premium/boutique segment drawn to visually distinctive products. Marketing relies on social media, email, and bank-funded promotional discounts, with the loyalty program Único providing repeat-purchase incentives. The company is privately held with no disclosed investors, no public ticker, and no published revenue, and it operates 962 employees across its corporate and store footprint.

Name

Freddo

Legal name

Freddo

Website

https://ar.freddo.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Freddo is an Argentine artisanal gelato company founded in 1969, operating 175+ gelaterias across 7 countries in the Americas via a franchise and direct-to-consumer model, serving mass-market and premium consumers with Italian-style ice cream, pre-packaged products, and a recently launched alfajor line.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Artisanal Gelato / Ice Cream

NAICS

All Other Specialty Food Retailers (445298), Specialty Food Retailers (4452)

SIC

Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Gelato Manufacturing (AFAHAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Coffee Chains & Franchise Cafes (THAFADAB), Farmstead & Local Artisan Food Markets (Retail Shops) (CRAHAGAO)

Keywords

• Artisan gelato
• Ice cream retail
• Frozen desserts
• Franchise restaurants
• Premium ice cream

Headquarters

HQ city

Buenos Aires

HQ country

Argentina

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Retail Ice Cream Sales: Revenue generated from direct sales of gelato and ice cream products to consumers through physical store locations. Products sold include cones (cucurucho), quarter kilos, kilos, and specialty formats.
2. Pre-packaged Products: Pre-packaged ice cream products including pintas (320g), tablets, and bonbons sold at retail locations for at-home consumption.
3. Franchise Fees: Revenue from franchise operations including initial franchise fees and ongoing royalties from franchisees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Freddo produces and sells artisanal Italian-style gelato through company-owned and franchised retail gelaterias, offering more than 40 flavors in multiple formats (cones/cucurucho, quarter kilos, kilos, pints, tablets, and bonbons). The portfolio extends to specialty sub-brands including Alfajores, Trifreddo combinations, Collezione Speciale frozen tablets, and the Línea Boutique premium line, and is complemented by a franchise program that licenses the Freddo brand and operating model to franchisees across the Americas.

Product overview

Freddo is an Argentine artisanal ice cream (gelato) company founded in 1969, operating as a single unified product portfolio centered around Italian-style gelato. The core offering consists of ice cream in various formats (cones/cucurucho, quarters, kilos, pre-packaged) available in over 40 flavors across categories including Cremas, Chocolates, Frutales, and Dulce de Leches. The portfolio extends through sub-brands including Tentaciones (tablets, cannoli, frozen desserts), Trifreddo (multi-flavor combinations), Collezione Speciale (premium frozen tablets), Línea Boutique (premium boutique line), and Alfajores (alfajor products launched in 2025). The company also offers a franchise program for opening retail locations. Products are made with fresh milk from company-owned farms, natural fruits, and traditional recipes without preservatives, with over 200 locations across Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Mexico, and the United States.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Línea Boutique: Premium boutique ice cream line featuring innovative flavors like Chocolate Dubai, Dulce de Leche Granizado con Merengue, Frambuesa con Merengue, Lemon Pie, Marquise, Dulce de Leche al Cioccolato Croccante, Pistacchio Bianco, and Stracciatella con Gianduia.
• Trifreddo
• Collezione Speciale
• Freddo Único

Products and services

• Sabores (Gelato Flavors) Core offering of more than 40 Italian-style artisanal gelato flavors organized into categories — Cremas (cream-based), Chocolates, Frutales (fruit-based), Dulce de Leches, and Línea Boutique. Each flavor is developed from a unique recipe using fresh milk from company-owned dairy farms, natural fruits, and no preservatives, and is sold at Freddo gelaterias.
• Pre Envasados (Pre-packaged Ice Cream) Pre-packaged Freddo ice cream products including pintas (320g), tablets, and bonbons sold at retail locations for at-home consumption.
• Tentaciones (Frozen Treats and Desserts) Premium frozen treats from Freddo including Tabletas (chocolate-covered ice cream bars), Cannoli, and Postres Helados (frozen desserts) such as Postre Suizo and Postre Tentación.
• Alfajores Premium alfajor product line launched in 2025 featuring White Dubai (pistachio cream and kadayif filling with white chocolate coating), Clásico Argentino (dulce de leche), and Chocolate Freddo (hazelnut cream) variants, also available in ice cream form.
• Trifreddo A combination of Freddo flavors, toppings, and sauces producing three taste experiences — Choco Cookies & Cream, Dulce de Leche & Cream, and Frutilla Crunch.
• Collezione Speciale A premium selection of Freddo frozen ice cream tablets covered in a crispy white chocolate layer with two unique fillings — Pistacchio and Frambuesa — made with high-quality ingredients.
• Línea Boutique Premium boutique Freddo ice cream line featuring vibrant colors, innovative textures, and reimagined classic flavors such as Chocolate Dubai, Dulce de Leche Granizado con Merengue, Frambuesa con Merengue, Lemon Pie, Marquise, Dulce de Leche al Cioccolato Croccante, Pistacchio Bianco, and Stracciatella con Gianduia. Available at selected boutique stores only.
• Franquicias (Freddo Franchise Program) Franchise program for opening Freddo-branded gelaterias. Includes real estate support, layout design, construction manual, operational training, marketing support, supply chain logistics, and a market research model, with an international footprint of 200 locations across the Americas.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 175 stores across Americas
• +2 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration14 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• MastercardminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBanking partnership offering 25% savings on all purchases for Mastercard Platinum or Black cardholders. Valid until September 30, 2026. Requires registration on MasterCard offers portal before purchase.
• BrubankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDigital bank partnership offering tiered benefits: 20% savings Wednesdays with PLAN ONE, 30% savings Fridays-Sundays with PLAN PLUS, and 40% savings daily with PLAN ULTRA. Various weekly transaction limits apply.
• Banco ComafiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBanking partnership offering 25% savings daily with MODO using Comafi Mastercard or VISA credit and VISA debit cards. Monthly limit of $25,000 per customer. Valid until August 31, 2026.
• Naranja XminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDigital banking partnership offering 30% savings Fridays and Saturdays with NX credit card or QR payments via app, plus an additional 20% first purchase discount. Limits of $15,000 and $5,000 apply. Valid until July 31, 2026.
• Banco PatagoniaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBanking partnership with tiered benefits: 15% for Clásica/Plus clients, 20% for Plan Sueldo/Jubilados, 25% for Singular clients, and 30% for Singular Plan Sueldo/Jubilados. Applies Saturdays and Sundays with VISA credit cards. Valid until November 30, 2026.
• ICBCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBanking partnership offering 30% daily savings exclusive with MODO using ICBC VISA credit and debit cards. Weekly limit of $8,000. Combinable with other benefits. Valid until December 31, 2026.
• GaliciaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor banking partnership offering 20% savings daily with MODO, physical or contactless VISA credit and debit cards. Monthly limit of $12,000. Not combinable with other benefits. Valid until August 31, 2026.
• Personal PayminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDigital wallet partnership offering daily 2x1 on cones, Tuesdays 2x1 on quarter kilos, and 25% savings daily on quarter kilos and kilos. Valid until June 30, 2027.
• Club La NaciónminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLoyalty program partnership offering 35% savings Wednesdays on kilos, 20% daily savings on all products, and 2x1 weekdays on cones for La Nación Club cardholders. Valid until December 16, 2026.
• Banco ProvinciaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBanking partnership offering 25% savings daily through Cuenta DNI. Weekly limit of $10,000. Valid for Buenos Aires and CABA only. Valid until February 28, 2026.
• SupervielleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBanking partnership offering 20% savings daily exclusive with MODO using Supervielle credit and debit cards. Monthly limit of $10,000. Combinable with other benefits. Valid until February 28, 2026.
• YOYminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBanking/wallet partnership offering 30% savings Sundays exclusive with MODO using YOY credit and debit cards. Weekly limit of $5,000. Valid until September 30, 2026.
• Galicia ÉminentminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPremium banking partnership offering 25% savings for Galicia Éminent cardholders daily. Monthly limit of $15,000. Not combinable with other benefits. Valid until August 31, 2026.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Persicco: Argentine artisanal gelato brand with multiple Buenos Aires locations. Comparable as a local artisanal gelato competitor targeting the same premium customer segment in Freddo's home market.
• Grido: Argentina's largest ice cream franchise chain with 1,800+ locations across Argentina and Latin America. Directly comparable as a franchise-based, mass-market Argentine ice cream brand competing for the same consumer occasions and franchisee pool.
• Cold Stone Creamery: US-based ice cream franchise chain (Kahala Brands) with international locations. Comparable as a franchise-driven premium ice cream concept with similar unit economics and customer experience model.

Emerging players

• Venchi: Italian premium gelato and chocolate brand expanding globally with retail stores in major cities including across Latin America. Comparable as a direct Italian-gelato authenticity competitor attacking the same premium positioning Freddo occupies.
• Chungo: Argentine premium ice cream brand growing in Buenos Aires and select LatAm markets. Comparable as a newer, premium-positioned local ice cream brand targeting the same artisan consumer segment in Argentina.
• Talenti: Premium gelato and sorbetto brand owned by Unilever, distributed through grocery retail. Comparable as a premium-positioned gelato brand competing for the same 'artisan Italian gelato' consumer in retail channels.

Broad incumbents

• Ben & Jerry's: Unilever-owned premium ice cream brand with global retail and scoop shop presence. Comparable as a premium, brand-led frozen dessert competitor entering the same LatAm markets with franchisee/scoop shop models.
• Baskin-Robbins: Largest ice cream franchise chain globally (~7,500 stores) with established presence in Latin America. Comparable as a franchise-based ice cream chain competing for the same franchisee economics and retail footprint strategy.
• Häagen-Dazs: Global premium ice cream brand owned by Nestlé with strong presence in Latin American capitals. Comparable as a premium-positioned gelato/ice cream competitor targeting the same aspirational consumer occasions in Freddo's international markets.

Regional players

• Gelato Messina: Australian premium gelato chain with cult brand following and significant international expansion ambitions. Comparable as a craft-gelato-led, premium-positioned chain with similar product innovation and brand storytelling approach, though geographically non-overlapping.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/freddohelados

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Freddo