Tasti D-lite Continues Expansion In South Florida

By: Planet Smoothie | 1,014 Shares 121 Reads

November 01, 2010 // Franchising.com // (Boynton Beach, Fla.)-- Tasti D-Lite, the lower-calorie frozen dessert chain with a cult following among health-conscious consumers as well as celebrities, will open its third South Florida center in Boca Raton in December. This is the second location owned and operated by area developer Robyn Vescovi who has an agreement to open at least 28 Tasti D-Lite Centers over the coming years in Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe, St. Lucie, Martin and Okeechobee counties. Vescovi's first center opened in early 2010 in Boynton Beach. Other Florida locations include a company-owned center in South Beach and two franchised locations in Sarasota.

As an area developer, Vescovi is responsible for recruiting other Tasti D-Lite franchisees in South Florida. A Florida transplant, Vescovi spent 25 years in learning and executive development in the financial industry in New York City. She also managed international and U.S.-based businesses and worked with CEOs of major institutions.

Similar to Vescovi, David Geller, a retired marketing executive, hails from New York City. He will become the area's second franchisee. Geller is currently scouting locations in the Aventura/Sunny Isles area and expects to open his center in early 2011.

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 significantly lower in fat, calories and carbs than ice cream. 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. Tasti D-Lite is hosting a free informational business ownership seminar on Tuesday, November 9 at 7 p.m. at Ft. Lauderdale Airport Hilton. Entrepreneurs interested in attending can call 800-506-1475 to reserve a seat.

"We are extremely excited to further our expansion in South Florida," said Jim Amos, Tasti D-Lite's chairman and CEO. "Floridians have been welcoming of the brand since opening our company-owned location in South Beach in 2004."

Tasti D-Lite first launched its franchise program in 2008. Since then, the company has grown to 50 U.S. locations and has secured commitments to open more than 300 locations in the coming years. Internationally, the company already has a presence in South Korea and opened its first two locations in Mexico this year, with more units planned in the coming months. The brand's international expansion is continuing in 2011, with one location recently opened in the United Arab Emirates and two more coming soon. Tasti D-Lite is building a 500-store global franchise network with its world-class operating team, undertaking a continual program of product innovation, customer engagement and service excellence.

For more information, visit www.tastidlite.com or contact Nikki Sells at 615-550-3124.

###