Unlocking a New Era: Two Fully Community-Connected Stores Are Coming
One year ago, our Welly Friends came into existence, bringing joy, unity, and the pleasure of spending time together into our lives. Over this year, we have matured, reflected on our path, changed our minds countless times, and searched externally for something we needed to find within ourselves as a team.
Building a Strong Foundation
For some time, we had envisioned becoming an internationally renowned fast-food brand with worldwide points of sale. However, we soon realized that our structure wasn’t ready to support such a large and challenging venture in the restaurant industry. Taking this into consideration, we made the difficult decision to halt expansion and reevaluate our approach. We realized that our first store no longer aligned with our vision or that of key members of our community.
Restaurants
Throughout this year, we have studied and developed the best designs and brand identity, involving the community through the Welly DAO. The team provided holders with the opportunity to propose ideas, choose them collectively, and then allow our professional team to develop them, always following the guidelines set by the holders.
We have successfully found a way to connect each store to our Discord channel, where there will be a dedicated channel for holders. This channel will provide daily store statistics, allowing every community member to interact and provide advice to improve their performance.
Upcoming Store Openings
The Store in Naples:
As mentioned earlier, we will reopen our store in Naples because we have felt the love the community has for that location. For all of us, that place is sacred and must remain as a tribute to our history. Renovation work has already begun to refurbish the kitchen and storefront.
The design will reflect the vision of Masquespacio, and we will introduce take-away stores for those who prefer a more relaxed dining experience.
The First Franchise
We are thrilled to finally announce that the rumors are true:
We have officially closed our first franchise agreement with partners from Reggio Emilia, Enrico and Federico, whom we sincerely thank for being the first to believe in us. They had the opportunity to witness the project firsthand, meet the team, and embrace our vision. Their store, for which they have just signed the rental contract, will soon be established in the center of Reggio Emilia, a city in northern Italy famous for its history, including being the city where Kobe Bryant has grown up.
We recently had a call with Masquespacio to discuss the layout, which they will present to us soon.
This is a significant milestone for us, not only because it represents a turning point but also because it instills confidence in all those who have applied for franchising but understandably feel hesitant without seeing the stores and the product offering.
Elevating the Brand
While we paused store expansion, we never stopped working, building, and recruiting new talent within the team. We recognized the need to transform ourselves into a truly appetizing brand that could genuinely compete with industry giants. To achieve this, we dedicated time to search for new professionals.
We didn’t settle for the first available options; instead, we waited until we believed we had the best professionals in every sector.
From Masquespacio, renowned for their design expertise, to Biagio di Stefano and Antonio Imparato, esteemed graphic design professors, and Antonio Mele, a senior 3D designer with experience working with renowned brands like Chanel, Disney, and Bulgari, we left no stone unturned. We also enlisted the expertise of Flynn McGarry, whom you already know, to advise us on creating a menu that appeals to and functions effectively for an international audience. But that’s not all; let’s take it step by step.
The Turning Point
Today, Welly stands at a turning point, and the upcoming months will be crucial as all the hard work comes to fruition. The projects each of us has been working on will come to light, from the restaurants, out beloved Welly animated to the toys, merchandise, the new website, and the vlog documenting our progress.
Expanding with Seasoned Experts
Recently, two experienced entrepreneurs in the restaurant industry, joined the team. They will join our restaurant development team, and we will introduce them to you soon. These individuals bring expertise in restaurant operations and franchise management. Together with us, they will manage the day-to-day operations of the stores and franchisees.
“But aren’t you acclaimed restaurateurs within the Welly Team?”
Indeed, within our team, as a family business, our families own over 15 restaurants across different brands, employing over 400 individuals. We understand how to manage restaurants, but we remain humble. At Welly, we believe that Welly itself can become an explosive brand at any moment. We are preparing for that by leveraging professionals, expanding our team, and welcoming new professionals to join us as partners.
We assure you that, with the reasons mentioned and many more that you will soon learn about, Welly is now ready to launch into the world.
We are excited about the journey ahead and the opportunities that lie in front of us. Together with our community, talented professionals, and passionate partners, we are building a brand that will leave a lasting impact in the industry. Welly is not just about food; it’s about creating memorable experiences, fostering connections, and spreading joy.
Thank you for being part of the Welly community and joining us on this incredible adventure. Together, we will make Welly a brand that resonates worldwide.
Stay tuned for more updates, progress, and exciting announcements.
