Will Buona franchised restaurants be permitted to sell pizza?

According to Buona's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchised Buona restaurants will not be permitted to sell pizza. This is a notable difference between the affiliate-owned restaurants, which do sell pizza, and the new franchised businesses. The FDD provides historical financial data from affiliate-owned restaurants, and it specifically notes that these restaurants sell pizza, while franchised locations will not.

This restriction on pizza sales has implications for prospective franchisees evaluating the financial performance data. While the historical data includes revenue from pizza sales at affiliate locations, franchisees will need to consider how the absence of this menu item might affect their own potential revenue. Buona anticipates that customers who might have ordered pizza at an affiliate-owned restaurant will order other menu items at the Franchised Restaurant.

To help franchisees understand the impact, the FDD includes information on the percentage of total sales derived from pizza products at the affiliate-owned units. This allows potential franchisees to assess how much of the reported revenue is attributable to pizza sales and to adjust their financial projections accordingly. Franchisees should carefully analyze this data in conjunction with other factors, such as location and market demand, to estimate their potential sales without pizza.

Prospective franchisees should also inquire about the specific menu items that are expected to replace pizza in terms of sales volume and profitability. Understanding the alternative menu strategy and its potential impact on customer preferences will be crucial for making informed decisions about investing in a Buona franchise. Additionally, franchisees should assess whether the absence of pizza sales will affect their ability to compete with other restaurants in their local market.