By scanning the QR codes present in the shop, customers can read the ingredients and enjoy their gelato without worries. An approach that also aligns with the current theme of environmental sustainability.
According to a recent survey by the SIGEP Observatory, in the summer of 2024, the consumption of artisanal gelato will increase by 6%, with peaks of 12% in tourist cities, leading to nearly 2 kg of artisanal gelato consumed per person annually in Italy alone.
Gelato is an irresistible pleasure on hot summer days, but it can be difficult to enjoy for those with diabetes, food intolerances, or who have chosen a vegan diet.
However, for those living in Bergamo, a tasty novelty has arrived: the gelato shop Gelato al Quadrato, where taste meets the needs of those following particular dietary regimens and environmental sustainability.
Let’s discover together how this project was born and how it is managed smartly thanks to the Tilby cloud POS system.
Gelato al Quadrato is a new opening in the center of Bergamo, with roots in the countryside, specifically in Pumenengo, home to the historic agricultural and dairy company Bufalapiù, managed by the Gorbani family until last May.
Alessandro, representing the second generation, enthusiastically tells us about the origin of this new project:
“When my father decided to retire, I realized it wouldn’t be possible to continue such an activity alone. I could either return to my engineering career or invest in a new entrepreneurial project where I could leverage the skills from the previous business and manage everything more efficiently and economically.”
A choice of reason but also of heart:
“Analyzing the existing businesses in Bergamo, I noticed there was a lack of ice cream shops suitable for people with allergies and intolerances. A world I know well, as several members of my family suffer from diabetes or lactose intolerance.”
Thus began the new adventure of Gelato al Quadrato. A brand that continues the Bufalapiù journey in the same shop at via Tasso, offering a tasty, healthy, and eco-friendly gelato experience even for vegans or those with food intolerances.
While the goal and philosophy of Gelato al Quadrato are clear, their practical implementation requires great attention to detail to meet the needs of a growing audience of vegan, lactose-intolerant, or celiac people.
This represents over 13% of the Italian population, for whom is hard to enjoy artisanal gelato without sacrificing taste or choosing among few alternatives.
Alessandro explains:
“All our flavors are entirely vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free, with a low glycemic index, making them suitable for diabetics as well. From chocolate to caramel crumble, to our special flavor, Crema al Quadrato, a reinterpretation of the classic cream in a vegan and lactose-free version, which is having great success.”
By scanning the QR codes present in the shop, customers of Gelato al Quadrato can read the ingredients and enjoy their gelato without worries. An approach that also aligns with the current theme of environmental sustainability:
“We really care the origin of the ingredients and the way they are served to minimize the impact on the planet. For example, for takeout we have replaced the polystyrene tub with an insulating cardboard one that is effective in keeping the gelato intact but easier to dispose of.”
Gelato al Quadrato's attention to customer needs perfectly aligns with those of the business. How? Alessandro chose Tilby as the POS system to manage his gelato shop.
“As a good engineer and entrepreneur, I wanted to make the entire purchasing experience efficient, streamlined, and measurable, and the Tilby software was the obvious choice. All purchases are tracked and monitored on the Analytics platform, where we can see the business's performance in real-time, understand customer preferences, and combine them with business sustainability.”
Another key aspect in the choice was the use of the Tilby Kiosk functionality combined with the Cashmatic selfpay machines, which reduce the need for staff involvement in repetitive tasks or where human error is common, such as payment management:
“Customers choose products from the touchscreen, pay independently, and come to the counter where we can offer them a quick and pleasant service. This eliminates repetitive tasks for the staff and the fear of making mistakes at the cash register.”
A model that Alessandro believes can also be successful in other types of businesses:
“The beauty of Tilby is its great flexibility, which adapts to simpler realities like service in a gelato shop, as well as more complex ones like fast food, bars, or restaurants. The app's evolutions have made all this even more accessible and complete without losing ease of use.”
In Bergamo's historic center, Gelato al Quadrato offers the pleasure of good artisanal gelato even for those with food intolerances or who are vegan.
Thanks to the Tilby kiosk cash system integrated with Cashmatic automatic drawers, the gelato shop's management is efficient and error-free, allowing Alessandro and his staff to focus on providing customers with an exceptional experience…and new delicious flavors!
