The Criscuolo brothers, Aldo and Joseph, known for their pizzerias in Darien, Norwalk and Stamford, are heading in a new direction food-wise as well as calorie-wise.
The brothers have opened the first Tasti D-Lite shop in the state just two doors down from Heights Pizza in Darien. A second will soon open in Stamford.
Tasti D-Lite is a lower-calorie frozen dessert chain that began at Lexington and 86th in Manhattan in 1987; that”™s where Aldo, while in college, first became acquainted with the frozen yogurt offerings.
Aldo said most of the shops”™ 100-plus flavors contain 80 calories or less per four fluid ounce serving, with 1.5 grams of fat and five grams of sugar.
“It”™s really the perfect guilt-free treat,” he said.
In addition to Heights Pizza, the brothers own and operate Davinci”™s Pizza in Norwalk, Nick”™s Pizza in Stamford and GNA Associates, a real estate and property management company.
“Our pizza restaurants have been doing well,” Aldo said. “We had our best year in 2008; as the economy slowed down people moved away from higher-end restaurants and pizza became more of an option.”
Aldo said owning a Tasti D-Lite shop franchise is learning experience.
“It”™s a different system because we”™ve always been independent. This is a franchise system so there”™s been a bit of a learning curve. It”™s been interesting.”
Recalling his visits to the Manhattan shop while in college, Aldo said, “In the back of my mind I always thought it was a great fit for Fairfield County. We always had Tasti D-Lite in mind. They were ready to expand and came to us. Having my business two doors down is a great fit.”
Jim Amos, Tasti D-Lite”™s chairman and CEO said he is excited to be expanding into Connecticut.
“The consumer demographics and emphasis on healthful eating and living represent a perfect fit with what Tasti D-Lite offers,” Amos said. “We”™re also proud to be partnering with experienced and successful restaurant operators like Aldo and Joe Criscuolo, who share our passion for Tasti D-Lite.”
The company first launched its franchise program in 2008. Since then, it has grown to 50 locations and has secured commitments to open more than 300 locations in the coming years. Locations are also coming soon to Norwalk, Fairfield and Greenwich.
In 2009, Tasti D-Lite opened new stores in Arizona, Texas, Florida, Tennessee, New York and New Jersey and expects additional expansion into California, Illinois and Missouri this year.
Sold by independent licensee wholesalers throughout New York City and in February 2007, a New York-based private equity firm acquired the company. Amos, one of the firm”™s operating partners, was named CEO of Tasti D-Lite and charged with the worldwide launch of its franchising program.
The estimated initial investment range for a single-unit Tasti D-Lite ranges from $253,700 to $431,410 and includes a $30,000 franchise fee. Weekly royalties are 5 percent of gross sales with a 2 percent contribution to a national marketing fund. Retail locations featuring Tasti D-Lite”™s new store design will range from 600 to 1,200 square feet, averaging about 900, and will include seating.
Aldo said he has already pursued pairing Tasti D-Lite with the pizza delivery in Darien.
“They”™re looking at it now,” said Aldo. “We want to offer the ability to order a pizza and order Tasti.”
