Morelia Gourmet Paletas is an experiential dessert franchise offering handcrafted ice cream paletas, serving guests seeking premium, customizable treats, and known for its dip-and-top bar, natural ingredients, and vibrant, Instagram-friendly shops that turn popsicles into interactive desserts.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
Franchisees
?
15
+
150%
150%
Franchise fee
?
$49,500
Investment
?
$116,000 - $387,000
Revenue (AUV)
?
Undisclosed
$449,000
+
n.a.
n.a.
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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.
Initial investment
The initial investment required for a Morelia Gourmet Paletas franchise is
$116,000 - $387,000.
That is the total cost you would need to finance if you were to start this franchise.
These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
Morelia Gourmet Paletas offers 2 types of franchises:
Franchise Format
Estimated Initial Investment
Morelia Kiosk Franchise
$115,600 to $208,500
Morelia In-Line Retail Unit
$162,500 to $386,500
We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Morelia in-line retail unit.
For more information on the various types of franchises and its costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).
Type of Expenditure
Amount
Initial Franchise Fee
$49,500
Leasehold Improvements and Construction
$40,000 to $130,000
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment (including point of sale/cash register system)
$30,000 to $60,000
Permits and Licenses
$2,000 to $5,000
Signs / Menu Boards
$4,000 to $10,000
Initial Inventory
$6,000 to $15,000
Grand Opening Advertising
$10,000 to $15,000
Training Expenses
$1,000 to $3,000
Training Fee
$3,000
Professional Fees
$1,500 to $20,000
Utility Deposits
$500 to $2,000
Rent Expense
$4,000 to $41,000
Insurance
$1,000 to $3,000
Additional Funds for First 3 Months
$10,000 to $30,000
Total
$162,500 to $386,500
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Morelia Gourmet Paletas offers 2 types of franchises:
Franchise Format
Estimated Initial Investment
Morelia Kiosk Franchise
$115,600 to $208,500
Morelia In-Line Retail Unit
$162,500 to $386,500
We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a Morelia in-line retail unit.
For more information on the various types of franchises and its costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).
Type of Expenditure
Amount
Initial Franchise Fee
$49,500
Leasehold Improvements and Construction
$40,000 to $130,000
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment (including point of sale/cash register system)
$30,000 to $60,000
Permits and Licenses
$2,000 to $5,000
Signs / Menu Boards
$4,000 to $10,000
Initial Inventory
$6,000 to $15,000
Grand Opening Advertising
$10,000 to $15,000
Training Expenses
$1,000 to $3,000
Training Fee
$3,000
Professional Fees
$1,500 to $20,000
Utility Deposits
$500 to $2,000
Rent Expense
$4,000 to $41,000
Insurance
$1,000 to $3,000
Additional Funds for First 3 Months
$10,000 to $30,000
Total
$162,500 to $386,500
Franchise Disclosure Document
Below is Morelia Gourmet Paletas's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.
Number of units
Morelia Gourmet Paletas had 18 total units in 2025, of which 15 were franchised-owned and 3 company-owned.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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