Our Story
From a Small Kitchen to our First Gelateria
During a difficult time in her life, Mrs. B turned to baking and soon developed a passion for it. Often spending hours experimenting with cakes and sweet treats, she found the process enjoyable and cathartic.
Her friends and family who were the beneficiaries of the sweet treats found her hobby enjoyable too and encouraged her to start a business. Well-known for her love of a challenge, Mrs B set out to create the first 'Made in Nigeria' Gelateria.
This ambition took her to study at the Caprigiani Gelato University in Italy - the home of gelato. Her desire for excellence also took her to prestigious Le Cordon Bleu where she qualified as a pastry chef.
Now certified as a pâtissière, and skilled in the art and science of gelato making, Mrs. B returned to Nigeria with the ingredients to bring her sweet empire to life. In May 2015, the first Hans & René Gelateria was opened. Today, there are six outlets around Lagos and one in Abuja, with plans for many more.
What started as one woman's pastime to add a little sweetness to difficult days has blossomed to a team of over 100 'Connoisseurs of the Sweet Life' on a mission to spread warmth, joy and A LOT of sweetness.
OUR MISSION
To bring joy to Africa and beyond.
At the heart of our mission is the belief that treats have the power to bring happiness and create memorable experiences. From our gelato to our savory pies, every product we offer is crafted with care, intelligence and a passion for quality.
We envision a world where people everywhere, from Lagos to Italy, from Los Angeles to Tokyo, can savour the joy of our treats.
With a goal to make our gelateria into a household name, sought after by treat lovers globally. Our deep roots in Nigeria – a sun-filled, flavourful, vibrant city of 200 million people, – perfectly positions us to lead this journey.
OUR VISION
To become a global sweet & savoury treats brand through relentless innovation.
Imagine walking into a treats shop in Italy and hearing, “Mi scusi, avete Hans & René?”
That’s the vision we’re working towards — having people from all corners of the globe think differently about Africa as a producer of treats.
Our innovation and experimentation is what sets us apart from our competition. It’s not a gimmick, or a nice to have, it is an expression of our pursuit of a more abundant life. We push ourselves to do what others cannot, or are too fearful, to do.
We take risks. We dream big. We act fast.
OUR APPROACH
We love discovering new ingredients to play with
We embrace the challenge of figuring out whether a local fruit would work in Gelato, and we live for that moment when a customer tries it, closes their eyes, and then smiles.
You can say we’re allergic to boring. We refuse to sit still and do more of the same.
Got questions? We have answers!
If you’re wondering about our confections, placing orders, or special requests, our FAQs cover it all.