How might the absence of pizza sales at a Buona franchise affect sales compared to the affiliate-owned restaurants?

According to Buona's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the affiliate-owned Buona restaurants sell pizza, while the franchised Buona restaurants will not. The document provides financial performance data specifically for affiliate-owned restaurants, noting that these units' operations do not differ materially from those of a new franchised Buona Business, except for the pizza sales. Item 19 includes information on what percentage of total sales of the affiliate-owned units was derived from the sale of pizza products for each of the affiliate-owned restaurants.

This difference in menu offerings could have implications for a franchisee's potential revenue. The FDD anticipates that customers who might have ordered pizza at an affiliate-owned restaurant will order other menu items at the Franchised Restaurant. However, it is important for a prospective franchisee to understand the potential impact of not offering pizza on overall sales and customer preferences. The absence of pizza may lead to a different customer base or a change in average transaction value.

Prospective franchisees should carefully review the data provided on pizza sales percentages in the affiliate-owned restaurants to assess the potential impact on their own business. They should also consider local market demand for pizza and whether the existing Buona menu can effectively compensate for the absence of pizza sales. It would be prudent to discuss with Buona the strategies and support they offer to mitigate any potential revenue loss from not selling pizza, and how they plan to attract and retain customers who might otherwise choose a competitor that offers pizza.