Ci Gusta

About Ci Gusta

Ci Gusta is an Italian all-day casual dining concept established in 2011 by Dario Rabboni. Built around the idea of enjoying Italian flavours from a gelato break to an aperitif, the brand serves pizza, pasta, ice cream and coffee using ingredients sourced from Italy. Its international network is reported to comprise around 30 sites across more than 20 countries. Ci Gusta offers three franchise formats: Corner, a compact takeaway and food court concept; Lounge, a café-style venue with an open kitchen and approximately 40 seats; and Trattoria, a larger dining space with around 70 seats. Suitable settings include shopping centres, universities and standalone buildings. The business announced plans for a Milton Keynes opening in 2023, but that location did not materialise. In February 2026, it announced Windsor, Berkshire, as its intended first UK location. The opening has not been confirmed in the supplied information.

Why franchise with Ci Gusta

• ✓Three flexible formats let partners match their Italian food offer to different locations and budgets.
• ✓Serve gelato, pizza, pasta and coffee throughout the day, appealing to a broad customer base.
• ✓Access Italian-sourced ingredients and straightforward preparation designed for efficient service.
• ✓Receive staff training from qualified Italian chefs, plus technical and operational guidance.
• ✓Benefit from support with initial store design, marketing activity and management development.
• ✓Join an established international concept with around 30 reported sites across multiple markets.

Investment breakdown

Minimum investment	£101,000
Maximum investment	£250,000
Management service fee	On request
Marketing contribution	On request
Agreement term	On request

What's expected of a franchisee

Property requirements

Ci Gusta offers three formats. Corner is a compact takeaway with access to shared food court seating, suited to shopping centres and universities. Lounge provides an open kitchen and approximately 40 seats, while Trattoria is a larger dining format with around 70 seats. Lounges suit malls and universities; Trattorias suit malls or standalone premises. Exact floor areas, frontage requirements and lease terms are not specified. Investment and fit-out needs depend on the chosen format.

Training and support

Ci Gusta provides franchisees with training delivered by qualified Italian chefs, alongside technical support and assistance with initial store design. The brand also offers marketing support, guidance for management teams and access to Italian-sourced ingredients designed for straightforward preparation. Business and contract models can be adapted to different formats. The supplied information does not specify the duration of training, launch staffing support or frequency of ongoing visits.

Operational requirements

Ci Gusta franchisees operate an all-day Italian food business serving gelato, coffee, pizza, pasta and drinks. Outlets range from compact takeaways to lounges and larger restaurants. Operators oversee staff, food preparation, stock, hygiene, customer service and financial performance while following brand standards. The company promotes easy-to-prepare products that reduce the need for highly skilled kitchen staff. Opening hours and staffing levels are not disclosed.

Experience required

Ci Gusta seeks franchise partners who value Italian food, product quality and customer service. Applicants should be capable of managing staff, day-to-day operations and commercial performance across their chosen format. Straightforward food preparation reduces reliance on highly skilled staff, with training from Italian chefs. Specific previous hospitality experience, minimum personal funds and operator involvement requirements are not disclosed.

Territory availability