Interview with Ibrahim Dawe, Founder of Paradice
Ibrahim Dawe is the founder of Paradice. Founded in 2020, Paradice blends speciality coffee with artisanal gelato to create a brand that’s redefining the café experience. Since launching, they’ve become a recognised name with a loyal customer base, award-winning success on delivery platforms, and bold ambitions for UK and international growth. Discover their journey, values, and franchise opportunities as they shape the future of coffee and gelato together.
Tell us a bit about yourself
I’ve had the chance to run different businesses over the years, from retail to property consultancy, but I’ve always had a soft spot for ice cream and desserts. Starting a business in that space was really a passion project for me — it brought out the inner child who just loves a good treat! Outside of work, I enjoy travelling, swimming, running, hiking, and most of all, spending time with my family.
Can you tell us about Paradice
Paradice was established in March 2020, and over the years we’ve grown into a strong and well-recognised local brand. We spotted a gap in the market for a concept that blends speciality coffee with artisanal gelato, and that’s what inspired our journey. In 2025, we expanded further by moving into gelato manufacturing and production, allowing us to create unique, high-quality products with even greater consistency.
We chose the franchise route to share this passion more widely and to give other entrepreneurs the chance to be part of a brand that combines creativity, quality, and community. Today, we’re proud to offer not just exceptional gelato and coffee, but also a supportive franchise model that helps our partners thrive.
Who is your target market?
The UK coffee shop sector generated about £6.1 billion in 2024/25, growing 4.1% year-on-year, with forecasts of around 6.5% CAGR through 2030. At the same time, the UK ice cream market is set to rise from USD 1.8 billion in 2024 to USD 3.0 billion by 2033, reflecting the growing appetite for premium, artisanal products.
Our target market includes families, young professionals, and the new generation of customers who prefer coffee shops and chill-out spaces over traditional bars. This shift in lifestyle, combined with the appeal of quality, handcrafted experiences, makes our blend of speciality coffee and artisanal gelato perfectly positioned to meet evolving tastes.
Why is Paradice a great investment for potential franchisees?
Our franchise is a great investment because it combines two high-growth markets — speciality coffee and artisanal gelato — into one unique concept that stands out in today’s competitive food and beverage landscape. With both industries showing steady year-on-year growth, franchisees benefit from being part of a brand that is perfectly aligned with consumer trends.
It’s also an investment that is easily manageable, making it an accessible opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to step into a proven and supportive business model. With straightforward operations, strong brand recognition, and a loyal customer base, franchisees can focus on growth while we provide the training and ongoing support to help them succeed
What differentiates Paradice from the competition?
What sets us apart is our unique blend of speciality coffee and artisanal gelato, backed by our own in-house production and an easily manageable franchise model that delivers both quality and consistency.
What is the role of one of your franchisees?
The role of a franchisee is to uphold our brand values, maintain the highest levels of quality and consistency, and ensure our standards are met day to day. Franchisees are also ambassadors of the brand, promoting it in positive ways within their local communities and creating welcoming spaces that reflect our vision.
What qualities do you look for in a franchisee?
We look for franchisees who are passionate, hardworking, and committed to upholding our brand values. A successful franchisee is someone who takes pride in maintaining quality and standards, is proactive in promoting the brand within their community, and creates a welcoming environment for customers. While prior experience in hospitality is helpful, the most important qualities are dedication, positivity, and a genuine enthusiasm for delivering great customer experiences.
What challenges have you had to overcome?
Launching in March 2020 meant our very first challenge was navigating the uncertainty of the pandemic. It was a real test, but it taught us how to adapt quickly, stay resilient, and keep customer trust at the heart of everything we do. Personally, it was a steep learning curve — balancing the excitement of building something new with the realities of such a turbulent time.
On an industry level, we’ve had to overcome supply chain disruptions, rising costs, and the challenge of standing out in a highly competitive market. By focusing on in-house production, quality, and creating memorable customer experiences, we’ve been able to turn those obstacles into strengths. These experiences have shaped us into a brand — and franchise model — that’s both adaptable and built for long-term success.
What have been your biggest achievements?
One of our proudest achievements has been being rated number 1 on Uber Eats locally for three years in a row, consistently hitting the highest sales in our category. This recognition has also given us direct access to Uber Eats account managers, support, and growth tools, helping us scale further.
Beyond this, we’re proud of becoming a strongly recognised local brand, expanding into gelato manufacturing and production in 2025, and receiving close training from high-level gelato chefs to refine our craft and maintain world-class standards. We’ve also built a loyal customer base that continues to grow year after year. These milestones reflect not only the strength of our concept but also the hard work and passion that have driven our success so far.
What does the future hold for Paradice?
The future of our business is focused on UK-wide expansion, with growth targets that include opening in new locations and offering flexible formats to suit different markets. Alongside our established café model, we’re exploring kiosks and event setups, which allow us to reach even more customers in a variety of settings.
By combining strong brand recognition with adaptable business models, our goal is to build a nationwide presence while keeping the same quality, consistency, and memorable customer experiences that define us.
What expansion plans have you got nationally and internationally?
Nationally, we plan to roll out a mix of kiosk, café, and restaurant-style stores to give us flexibility across different markets and locations. This approach allows us to adapt to local demand while keeping the same premium quality and brand experience.
Internationally, our expansion plans include branching out to the Middle East, where there is already a strong coffee culture. The region also has one of the highest per-capita spends on cafés and dining worldwide, with a rapidly growing appetite for premium dessert experiences. We see a fantastic opportunity to introduce our artisanal gelato alongside that culture, offering something fresh and unique to the market.
What advice would you give to someone considering franchising their business?
My advice would be to make sure your business model is proven, consistent, and scalable before you start franchising. It’s important to have your systems, processes, and brand values clearly defined so that every franchisee can deliver the same customer experience.
I’d also recommend investing in support and training structures early on — franchising isn’t just about growth, it’s about building a network of partners who feel confident and supported. From our own journey, we’ve learned that having a strong brand and loyal customer following in place before franchising creates a much stronger foundation for long-term success.
If you had to do it all again, what would you do differently?
If I had to do it all again, I would have built a strong team from the very beginning and put clear processes in place right away, rather than learning and adapting as I went along. Having the right people and systems in place early makes growth smoother and helps you focus more on building the brand.
Interested and want to know more about Paradice?
The Paradice profile outlines all aspects of their franchise opportunity and allows you to contact them for further information or to ask a question.
