Tifa is a dessert & café franchise offering artisan gelato, chocolates, espressos, pastries, and sweets, serving dessert aficionados and café guests, and known for its warm café atmosphere, handcrafted flavors, and community focus. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
Franchisees
?
9
+
200%
200%
Franchise fee
?
$47,500
Investment
?
$500,000 - $676,000
Revenue (AUV)
?
Undisclosed
$508,000
+
44.0%
44.0%
Upgrade
Tifa Chocolate & Gelato was founded in 2007, initially operating as an online artisan-chocolate retailer before opening its first café in Agoura Hills, California. Today, the company is headquartered in Westlake Village, California. The brand quickly gained recognition for combining handcrafted chocolate with premium gelato made fresh daily, creating a unique dessert café experience.
Tifa began franchising in 2017 under its parent corporate entity formed earlier that year. The franchise offers a mix of European-style chocolate, authentic Italian gelato, and specialty coffee beverages. Each location provides customers with a welcoming atmosphere that encourages connection and indulgence.
What differentiates Tifa from other dessert franchises is its focus on craftsmanship, quality ingredients, and community engagement. The brand’s cafés are designed to feel warm and inviting, offering guests the experience of a local neighborhood dessert café rather than a standard chain.
Initial investment
The initial investment required for a Tifa franchise is $500,000 - $676,000. 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.
Type of Expenditure
Amount
Initial Franchise Fee
$47,500
Franchise Location – Rent/Security Deposit
$5,000 - $16,000
Leasehold Improvement
$206,257 - $317,591
Architectural, Engineering, Construction and/or Remodeling
$36,100 - $40,000
Kitchen Equipment Package
$132,275 - $147,925
Indoor/Outdoor Furniture and Furnishings & Décor
$7,400 - $9,900
Inventory of Food, Beverages & Supplies
$500 - $1,000
Opening Inventory Food
$13,000 - $15,000
Pre-Operational Miscellaneous / Supply Cost & Small Wares
$8,500
Signage
$8,000 - $12,000
Utility Deposits, Licenses, Permits and System Set-up Fees
$7,000 - $16,500
Legal, Accounting and Insurance
$2,500 - $4,000
P.O.S. System Software, Security & Cameras, Computers
$2,800 - $3,800
Opening Advertising
$1,200 - $2,500
Franchisee / Management Certification Training
$1,500 - $4,000
Additional Funds – Initial 3 Months
$20,000 - $30,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment
$499,532 - $676,216
Create a free account to access this table and more. For more information see our plans here.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Type of Expenditure
Amount
Initial Franchise Fee
$47,500
Franchise Location – Rent/Security Deposit
$5,000 - $16,000
Leasehold Improvement
$206,257 - $317,591
Architectural, Engineering, Construction and/or Remodeling
$36,100 - $40,000
Kitchen Equipment Package
$132,275 - $147,925
Indoor/Outdoor Furniture and Furnishings & Décor
$7,400 - $9,900
Inventory of Food, Beverages & Supplies
$500 - $1,000
Opening Inventory Food
$13,000 - $15,000
Pre-Operational Miscellaneous / Supply Cost & Small Wares
$8,500
Signage
$8,000 - $12,000
Utility Deposits, Licenses, Permits and System Set-up Fees
$7,000 - $16,500
Legal, Accounting and Insurance
$2,500 - $4,000
P.O.S. System Software, Security & Cameras, Computers
$2,800 - $3,800
Opening Advertising
$1,200 - $2,500
Franchisee / Management Certification Training
$1,500 - $4,000
Additional Funds – Initial 3 Months
$20,000 - $30,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment
$499,532 - $676,216
Franchise Disclosure Document
Below is Tifa's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.
Number of units
Tifa had 9 total units in 2025, of which 9 were franchised-owned and 0 company-owned.
Tifa Chocolate & Gelato provides the following training to franchisees:
Initial Management Certification Training: A 6–8 day program combining classroom and on-the-job training, covering business operations, branding, accounting, and HR, held in Agoura Hills or Westlake Village, CA.
On-Site Opening Training: Two individuals receive hands-on support for 3 days before and 2 days after opening the first location.
On-the-Job Training at Franchisee's Site: 44 hours covering operations, business practices, marketing, sales, property management, and accounting.
Mandatory Conferences: Franchisees must attend periodic conferences, up to 8 days, at company headquarters or other locations.
Food Safety Certification: Required Serve-Safe certification for designated trainees, at the franchisee’s expense.
Territory Protection
Tifa Chocolate & Gelato offers franchisees a “Protected Territory,” which is typically defined as either a radius of four miles or a population area of 100,000 people, whichever is smaller.
This territory is formally designated once the franchisee’s site is accepted and added to the franchise agreement. Within this area, Tifa agrees not to open company-owned stores or grant additional franchises using the Tifa brand.
However, the protection is limited and non-exclusive. Tifa retains the right to market products through other channels, such as online sales or non-traditional venues like airports or military bases, even within the protected area.
.png)
