Nobibi Expands Into Connecticut as Raju Gomes, PhD, and Pablo Luis Rivera Jr. Sign New Franchise Agreement
Healthcare Executive and Transportation Industry Veteran Partner to Bring Nobibi’s Unique Ice Cream Experience to Connecticut and New England
CONNECTICUT — August 25, 2026 — Nobibi, the rapidly expanding Asian-inspired ice cream and beverage brand, announced today that Raju Gomes, PhD, and Pablo Luis Rivera Jr. have signed a new franchise agreement in Connecticut, marking another important step in the brand’s growing presence across New England.
Gomes, a PhD with extensive experience in healthcare management and organizational leadership, brings years of executive and management experience to the Nobibi franchise. Joining Gomes as his business partner is Pablo Luis Rivera Jr., a highly experienced master mechanic with an extensive background in the transportation industry.
The partnership brings together complementary expertise in management, operations, and technical leadership as the two entrepreneurs build Nobibi’s presence in Connecticut.
Following the opening of their first Nobibi location in West Hartford, Connecticut, Gomes and Rivera have developed a vision that extends beyond a single location. The partners plan to expand Nobibi into additional communities throughout Connecticut, with a long-term goal of bringing the brand to other states across New England.
For Gomes and Rivera, the opportunity represents more than expanding a successful food and beverage concept. They see Nobibi as a platform for bringing people together through food, culture, and community.
“We’re honored to have the opportunity to share culture through the Nobibi experience. Food has a special way of bringing people together, and we believe Nobibi provides a wonderful platform to introduce something unique while creating memorable experiences for families and communities. We look forward to building a strong presence in Connecticut and, eventually, throughout New England,” said Raju Gomes, PhD.
Rivera brings significant hands-on experience and operational expertise from his career in the transportation industry. As a master mechanic, his background includes years of technical knowledge, problem-solving, and managing the operational demands of a highly service-oriented industry.
The partners believe that their combined experience will provide a strong foundation for building and expanding the Nobibi brand throughout the region.
“West Hartford is an exciting beginning for us,” said Pablo Luis Rivera Jr. “We’re looking forward to building something that becomes part of the local community and bringing the Nobibi experience to more people throughout Connecticut and New England.”
Nobibi has continued to attract franchise partners looking to participate in the growing dessert and beverage industry. The brand’s distinctive ice cream offerings, beverages, modern store environment, and strong cultural identity have helped establish Nobibi as a differentiated concept within the competitive dessert market.
The new Connecticut agreement reinforces Nobibi’s broader franchise expansion strategy as the company continues to identify qualified franchise partners and enter new markets throughout the United States.
With Gomes’ healthcare management expertise and Rivera’s extensive transportation and operational experience, the partnership provides a strong combination of leadership and hands-on experience as Nobibi begins its next chapter in New England.
