Interview with Dominic Vargas, Founder of Mango Twist
Dominic Vargas, the driving force behind Mango Twist, shares his inspiring journey fromarrivinginthe UK at 18 without English to building a successful career and becoming a franchise owner. Withyears of hard work across industries – from office cleaning and kitchens to electrical work – Dominicnow channels his determination and passion into entrepreneurship, bringing fresh energy andvisionto Mango Twist.
Tell us a bit about yourself I came to the United Kingdom at 18 years old without speaking English and knowing very littleabout the country, but with a strong determination to improve myself year after year. I startedworking in office cleaning, then moved into restaurants as a kitchen porter, and for the past eight years I’ve been working as an electrician. I always dreamed of having my own business but hesitated about starting one in construction because of the high competition. I’ve always beenhard working and enthusiastic, and I’m also a proud father of two wonderful children.
Can you tell us about Mango Twist Mango Twist started in August 2024 when we realised no one had yet brought the sweet, tropical flavours of our Latin American desserts to the UK. From the moment we opened our first branchinTottenham Hale, the response was overwhelming. Within less than a year we successfully openedtwo more branches, and the volume of people contacting us about franchising made it clear therewas strong demand. That’s when we decided to enter the franchise world to share our concept more widely.
Who is your target market? Our target market is very broad — anyone in the UK who enjoys high-quality, indulgent desserts with a tropical twist. We particularly attract young professionals, families, and people fromeverybackgrounds looking for authentic flavours, but we’re also introducing new customers to thesedesserts for the first time. The demand has been incredible: from day one our stores have beenbusy, social media engagement is high, and customers are asking for Mango Twist locations inmore towns and cities.
Why is Mango Twist a great investment for potential franchisees? Mango Twist offers a proven, in-demand concept with strong customer loyalty and fast growth. We’ve already demonstrated that our model works by opening multiple branches in under ayear, and our systems make it straightforward for new franchisees to get started. We provide comprehensive training, marketing support, and supply chains to ensure consistency. Withlowstart-up costs compared to many food concepts and a unique product that stands out in theUKmarket, Mango Twist represents an exciting opportunity for entrepreneurs who want to joinavibrant, growing brand.
What differentiates Mango Twist from the competition? Mango Twist stands out because there is very little direct competition in the UK dessert market. The few businesses that do exist haven’t been able to capture the true tropical essence andvibrant flavours that Mango Twist delivers — something our customers regularly tell us. Wecombine authentic Latin American recipes with a fresh, modern presentation and efficient systems, creating a distinctive experience that keeps people coming back and talking about us.
What is the role of one of your franchisees? A Mango Twist franchisee is hands-on in running their store. Their role includes managing day-to-day operations, leading and motivating staff, ensuring our recipes and quality standards are followed, and delivering great customer service. They also handle local marketing activities and community engagement, while we provide the systems, supply chains, and ongoing support they need to operate efficiently and grow their business.
What qualities do you look for in a franchisee? What makes a successful franchisee? We look for people who are passionate about great food and customer service, and who share our enthusiasm for Mango Twist’s vision. A successful franchisee is hands-on, organised, and committed to maintaining our high standards. They don’t necessarily need prior food industry experience — what matters most is a strong work ethic, a positive attitude, willingness to learn, and the drive to grow their business within our proven system.
What challenges have you had to overcome? One of our main challenges has been ensuring we always have the quality of products we need. Because our desserts rely on fresh, authentic ingredients with a tropical touch, we’ve had tobuildstrong relationships with reliable suppliers and develop efficient systems to keep quality consistent as we grow. Adapting quickly to supply issues and maintaining high standards has beenessential to keeping our customers happy and our brand strong.
What have been the company’s biggest achievements? Our biggest achievement so far has been opening multiple new branches in less than a year whilestill remaining profitable, even as we continue to reinvest in the business. This rapid growthshowsthe strength of the Mango Twist concept and the dedication of our team, and it gives us confidence that our franchise model can succeed in other locations as well.
What does the future hold for Mango Twist? Our vision for the future is to make Mango Twist the leading name for tropical desserts in theUK. We plan to expand steadily by opening new company-owned and franchised branches in key cities, while maintaining the same high quality and authentic flavours that have made us successful so far. In the next few years, our goal is to build a strong national presence, support anetwork of thriving franchisees, and keep innovating with new products that delight our customers.
What expansion plans have you got nationally and internationally? Nationally, our plan is to continue opening Mango Twist branches across the UK so that customersin every major city can enjoy our desserts. Internationally, our ambition is to take the brandas far as possible — to as many countries and continents as we can reach. We want Mango Twist tobecome the global reference for tropical Latin American desserts, bringing our unique flavours andvibrant concept to new markets around the world.
What advice would you give to someone considering franchising their business? My advice would be to follow a clear, well-tested plan of action. Before you start franchising, make sure your concept is proven, your operations are efficient, and your brand standards areclear. Then stick to that plan consistently, just as we’ve done at Mango Twist. Having solidsystemsin place and staying true to your values will make the growth process much smoother and moresuccessful.
If you had to do it all again, what would you do differently?
If I had to do it all again, I would invest from the start in the right equipment and machinery tomaximise efficiency and serve customers faster. In the beginning we didn’t realise just howhighthe demand would be, so we underestimated what we would need. Having the proper tools fromday one would have allowed us to handle the volume more smoothly and make the most of everyopportunity.
Interested and want to know more about Mango Twist?
The Mango Twist profile outlines all aspects of their franchise opportunity and allows you to contact them for further information or to ask a question.
