Delfino Golfeto created a network in his garage. It currently has 80 restaurants in seven Brazilian states
Of humble origins, Delfino Golfeto worked as a cold transport worker at the beginning of his professional career. He subsequently studied and graduated in Sugar and Alcohol Technology and obtained a postgraduate diploma in Business Management. As a result, he took on the role of agro-industrial manager in some of the factories he visited. But this wasn’t enough for him. One of his dreams was to open a food space, focused on providing a family atmosphere with excellent customer service.
In 1990 Delfino had the idea of combining his knowledge and appreciation for cachaças with a restaurant, thus creating the Água Doce Sabores do Brasil brand.
Without much capital to invest, the business was opened in the garage of the house, which had a small improvised counter, where cachaças and various cocktails were served to taste.
In addition to Delfino’s ability to select good drinks, his wife Silvia Maria had the ability of a fairy to prepare appetizing delicacies, factors which directly contributed to publicizing the name and promoting the fame of the brand, which quickly became a reference in the region of Tupã., in São Paulo.
Mature standards
In 1993, with more mature processes and standards, Água Doce decided to take a new step and opened the first franchising unit. Market acceptance was evident, so the pace of expansion was accelerated in 1995, attracting investors from different parts of Brazil.
The evolution continues and, in 2006, the Logistics Distribution Center was created to meet the demand of the brand’s restaurants, distributed in different states. In 2013 the chain was elected by the ABF (Brazilian Franchising Association) as the Best Franchisor in Brazil.
In 2016, the brand entered the “Hall of Fame” of the same entity, in a jury that includes only award-winning franchisors. Currently Delfino is, in addition to being president of the Água Doce chain, owner of a non-profit museum, the Cachaça Museum.
The peak in 2024
In 2024, the chain turns 34 and has been the forerunner of a true Brazilian casual dining concept that values both gastronomy and authentic national drinks, with an emphasis on cachaça. The brand currently has 80 restaurants featuring typical dishes with a home-made and regional touch, generous portions, creative drinks with or without alcohol, as well as a selection of the best Brazilian cachaças.
With a robust menu with a Tropeiro accent, the restaurants of Água Doce are destinations for families and groups of friends who want to make lunches, dinners, happy hours and various meetings a special moment of entertainment. In addition to the extensive menu of cachaças and drinks, the house is known for its escondidinho, present in traditional versions (sun meat), shrimp, chicken and cod, as well as vegetarian versions.
“Everything I have today is thanks to sugarcane. I was able to pass on to other people my passion for cachaça, which is a national symbol. Furthermore, year after year, I feel satisfied by all the goals achieved. Today I have a team that contributes even more to the growth of Água Doce, allowing the brand to pursue new challenges and offer customers and future consumers a differentiated consumption experience, with dish and drink recipes that carry Brazilian DNA. I will still see many successes of the brand, which is synonymous with what we like to do, offering quality food, differentiated drinks, as well as comfortable spaces for meals and meetings with family and friends”, underlines Delfino.
New steps
To stay at the forefront of the Food Service segment, the chain has implemented several strategies, one of which was the creation of a more streamlined business model called Água Doce Express.
According to the chain’s franchising director, Julio Bertolucci, the Express operation allows expansion into smaller, high-traffic locations, such as malls and malls, thanks to the streamlined format and customized menu, created to serve new audiences in searches for food. Faster.
Furthermore, Julio highlights the importance of the business model for the brand, since with a cheaper format it is possible for the franchisee to operate more than one unit. This year, the chain plans to have 10 Express restaurants by the end of 2024.
Another novelty of the brand is the investment in its products. The company launches a line of private label products, with the aim of completing the consumer experience journey. With an initial focus on condiments and condiments, the chain, which also has its own cachaça and gin, offers unique options, allowing customers to bring the brand’s signature Brazilian flavors into their homes.
The line includes sauces, farofas, parrilla salt, garlic and crispy onion. Present in person, with physical restaurants; digital, with delivery; The chain intends to use its brand strategy to penetrate retail, allowing the franchisee to maximize revenue from the sale of items in its operations.
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Source: Terra
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