What is the relationship between The Buona Companies, L.L.C. and the Buona Beef LLC affiliate?
Buona Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We have 3 affiliates that sell products or services to our franchisees. The first affiliate that sells products to our franchisees is The Buona Companies, L.L.C., an Illinois limited liability company. It also manages and operates the Buona businesses owned by another affiliate Buona Beef LLC. The Buona Companies, L.L.C., also owns the Marks and System and licenses them to us. We refer to these affiliate-owned businesses as "Affiliate-Owned Business" in this Disclosure Document. The principal place of business of The Buona Companies, L.L.C. and Buona Beef LLC is 7075 Veterans Blvd., Burr Ridge, IL 60527.
The second affiliate that sells products to our franchisees is Authentic Brands of Chicago LLC, an Illinois limited liability company. The principal place of business of this affiliate is 6410 W. 74th Street, Bedford Park, Illinois.
The third affiliate that sells services to our franchisees is Keystone Planning + Design, PLLC, an Illinois professional limited liability company. The principal place of business of this affiliate is 418 Clinton Place, River Forest, IL 60305.
Source: Item 1 — THE FRANCHISOR AND ANY PARENTS, PREDECESSORS AND AFFILIATES (FDD pages 9–11)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Buona's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, The Buona Companies, L.L.C. manages and operates Buona businesses owned by Buona Beef LLC. The Buona Companies, L.L.C. also owns the Marks and System and licenses them to Chicago's Original Italian Beef Franchising LLC, the franchisor. Both The Buona Companies, L.L.C. and Buona Beef LLC share the same principal place of business at 7075 Veterans Blvd., Burr Ridge, IL 60527.
Buona Beef LLC and its predecessors have been operating businesses similar to the franchised business since 1981. The Buona Companies, L.L.C. has managed and operated similar businesses since 1999. As of December 31, 2024, these affiliates owned and operated 31 Buona businesses, including dual-brand locations with The Original Rainbow Cone.
For a prospective franchisee, this indicates that while the franchisor is a relatively new entity (formed in 2021 and franchising since May 2021), it benefits from the experience and infrastructure of established affiliates. The Buona Companies, L.L.C.'s role in managing Buona Beef LLC's businesses and owning the trademarks and system suggests it plays a crucial role in the Buona franchise system. The extensive operating history of the affiliates (since 1981 and 1999) provides a degree of stability and expertise to the franchise network.