Morelia Gourmet Paletas is a specialty frozen dessert franchise focused on handcrafted gourmet paletas made with fresh, natural ingredients. The brand offers an interactive dessert experience where customers choose a paleta flavor, dip it in premium coatings, and finish it with customized toppings.

Paletas are produced daily in small batches to emphasize freshness, quality, and consistency. This hands-on customization model sets the brand apart from traditional ice cream shops.

Morelia Gourmet Paletas was founded in 2016 in Coral Gables, Florida. The concept draws inspiration from Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico, a region historically associated with traditional paleta craftsmanship.

The company is headquartered in Coral Gables, FL, where it continues to oversee brand development, operations, and franchise growth. From its first location, the brand steadily expanded into multiple U.S. and international markets.

The brand began franchising in 2019, positioning itself as an emerging player in the premium frozen dessert franchise segment. Morelia Gourmet Paletas operates a growing number of locations across the United States and select international markets.

Training

Morelia Gourmet Paletas provides a multi-phase training program to ensure franchisees are well-prepared to operate their business in line with the brand’s standards. The training consists of the following structured programs:

1. Initial Training Program
   This program includes both virtual and in-person components. The virtual segment covers topics like brand history, franchise relationship overview, location selection, and franchise portal navigation. The in-person training at the Coral Gables, Florida location includes sessions on the pre-opening process, grand opening, HR practices, marketing, daily procedures, and customer service.
2. On-the-Job and In-Store Training
   Franchisees receive about 40 hours of classroom and hands-on instruction, including training at their own store before the grand opening. Topics include production, store operations, marketing, staffing, and customer engagement. This ensures real-time application of brand procedures during the setup phase.
3. Refresher and Supplemental Training
   The franchisor may require refresher training or provide additional assistance if a franchisee fails to meet performance standards. These sessions are scheduled at the franchisor’s discretion and may involve fees and travel costs borne by the franchisee.
4. Ongoing Training and Conferences
   Morelia may hold ongoing education programs, seminars, meetings, and national or regional conferences. Franchisees and key personnel are required to attend, and reasonable fees may apply for materials and participation. These sessions help maintain compliance and keep franchisees updated on operational best practices.

Territory Protection

Morelia Gourmet Paletas offers franchisees a “Protected Territory” upon approval of their store location. This area is typically defined by geographic and demographic factors, such as a one-mile radius around the store, and is formalized in the franchise agreement.

However, this Protected Territory does not guarantee exclusivity, and the franchisor may allow other franchisees, affiliates, or third parties to provide services, including delivery and catering, within the same area.

Additionally, Morelia retains extensive rights to operate or authorize others to operate in non-traditional venues within or near a franchisee’s territory, such as airports, malls, universities, and hospitals.

The franchisor also reserves the right to engage in national marketing or e-commerce initiatives that may impact local operations without compensating franchisees. As such, while franchisees are granted a designated area, true territorial protection is limited and non-exclusive.