The most improbable negotiation in the restaurant world concluded after three meetings, two counter-offers, and a six-course dinner. Ciccio's answer never changed.
Donald Trump, former President of the United States and founder of various hospitality and restaurant businesses, contacted the Damplo Group in autumn 2023 with a concrete proposal: to open a Damplo location at the Mar-a-Lago complex, his luxury Florida residence. The proposal was accompanied by an initial offer of ten million dollars for brand usage rights. Ciccio's assistant replied by email: "Mr D'Amplo will consider."
The first meeting took place in November, in New York, during a private aperitivo at which Ciccio arrived forty minutes late ("I was waiting for the right wine"). Trump presented the project: a fifty-cover Damplo, simplified menu, target clientele "my guests, who are the best in the world." Ciccio listened, ate the food served at the aperitivo — a smoked salmon he described as "no offence, mediocre" — and said: "The answer is no, but I'll gladly eat."
The second meeting, in December, saw Trump raise the offer to fifteen million and propose a profit-sharing arrangement. Ciccio replied that he had no need of profit-sharing from anyone. At the third meeting, in February, Trump presented architectural renderings, financial projections, and a pre-written press release for the announcement. Ciccio read everything carefully, appreciated the rendering ("the open kitchen is well designed"), and said: "No. But I'll keep the rendering, it gives me ideas."
The negotiation ended. Ciccio released a single comment to the Wall Street Arancino: "I greatly respect the ambition. But the Damplo brand does not franchise. Not now, not ever. Mar-a-Lago is a beautiful place. They could open something else." Trump responded on Truth Social: "Ciccio Damplo is a great chef. Maybe the best. Not many chefs turn down Donald Trump. He did. He's wrong, but I respect it." Ciccio responded with silence. His assistant responded with an emoji.
