What is the relationship between M & T Pizza Incorporated and the Carbones Pizzeria franchise?
Carbones_Pizzeria Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
To simplify the language in this disclosure document, "we", "us", "our" and "M & T Pizza" means M & T Pizza Incorporated, the corporation which is offering the franchise and is sometimes called the "Franchisor." "You" or "your" means the person who or entity that buys the franchise and is sometimes called the "Franchisee." If the Franchisee is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or other business entity, "you" includes the franchisee's owners and each of your owners must sign a personal guaranty agreeing to comply with all provisions of the Franchise Agreement.
The Franchisor
We are a Minnesota corporation incorporated on November 4, 1977. Our principal business address is 680 East Seventh Street, St. Paul, Minnesota 55106. We do business under our corporate name and as M & T Pizza. We do not do business under any other names. We have been offering franchises since 1977. We have never offered franchises in any other lines of business. Our agents for services of process are listed on Exhibit A.
Parents, Predecessor and Certain Affiliates
We have no parent or predecessor companies required to be disclosed in this disclosure document. The original franchisor of the Carbone's Pizza concept was Carbone & Sons, Inc. This entity ceased franchising activities in 1977 but there are two franchisees who continue to operate under their licenses with Carbone & Sons, Inc.
We have no affiliates that offer franchises in any line of business. Carbone Pizza, Inc., our affiliate, will occasionally sell products to our franchisees. It is also the owner of the original Carbone's Pizza location in St. Paul, Minnesota, which opened in 1954. C&T Pizza LLC is an affiliate of ours that offers and sells frozen pizzas to convenience stores and others for re-sale. It also provides frozen pizzas to franchisees who offer them to sports teams and others who are engaged in fundraising. It has never offered franchises in any line of business nor has it ever conducted a Carbone's Pizza restaurant.
The Franchise
We franchise the right to operate restaurants under the trade names "Carbone's Pizza" and "Carbone's Pizzeria℠." The restaurants feature pizza and offer related foods and beverages. We refer to these restaurants in this disclosure document as "Restaurants". You must offer pizza and other items we require for consumption on the premises and also on a take-out basis at your Restaurant. Some of Carbone's Pizza restaurants offer pizza delivery services but it is not required. Most Carbone's Pizza Restaurants serve alcoholic beverages but it is not required and we must approve the sale of alcoholic beverages before you begin serving them from your Restaurant.
Source: Item 1 — THE FRANCHISOR, AND ANY PARENTS, PREDECESSORS AND AFFILIATES (FDD pages 6–7)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Carbones Pizzeria's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, M & T Pizza Incorporated is the franchisor. The document clarifies that the terms "we", "us", "our" and "M & T Pizza" refer to M & T Pizza Incorporated, the entity offering the Carbones Pizzeria franchise. The terms "you" and "your" refer to the franchisee. M & T Pizza Incorporated was incorporated in Minnesota on November 4, 1977, and has been offering franchises since that year. Their principal business address is 680 East Seventh Street, St. Paul, Minnesota 55106. They operate under their corporate name and as M & T Pizza.
Carbones Pizzeria franchises the right to operate restaurants under the trade names "Carbone's Pizza" and "Carbone's Pizzeria℠." These restaurants feature pizza, related foods, and beverages. Franchisees must offer pizza and other required items for consumption on the premises and on a take-out basis. While some locations offer pizza delivery services, it is not a requirement. Similarly, serving alcoholic beverages is not mandatory but requires franchisor approval.
Prospective franchisees should understand that M & T Pizza Incorporated is the sole entity responsible for granting and overseeing Carbones Pizzeria franchises. Franchisees will enter into a franchise agreement with M & T Pizza Incorporated, obligating them to adhere to the franchisor's standards and requirements. This includes aspects related to the quality, type, and weight of ingredients, as well as other products and supplies used in the restaurant's operation. The document also mentions that Carbone Pizza, Inc., an affiliate, may occasionally sell products to franchisees, and C&T Pizza LLC, another affiliate, offers and sells frozen pizzas to convenience stores and provides frozen pizzas to franchisees for fundraising purposes.