Buona is a fast-casual restaurant chain known for its authentic Italian beef sandwiches, offering a variety of hearty and flavorful menu options inspired by traditional family recipes.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
Franchisees
?
1
+
n.a.
n.a.
Franchise fee
?
$40,000
Investment
?
$1,465,000 - $5,841,000
Revenue (AUV)
?
Undisclosed
$3,433,000
+
n.a.
n.a.
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Buona is a family-owned fast-casual restaurant chain specializing in authentic Italian beef sandwiches. Founded in 2021 by Joe and Peggy Buonavolanto in Berwyn, Illinois, Buona has grown from a single location into a beloved Chicago institution.
The company remains family-operated, with three generations actively involved in its expansion and operations. Headquartered in Burr Ridge, Illinois, Buona began franchising in 2023 to bring its signature Italian beef to new markets across the U.S.
The franchise offers a menu anchored by slow-roasted, all-natural Italian beef, complemented by burgers, Chicago-style hot dogs, salads, pasta, and more. Buona's commitment to quality ingredients and traditional recipes sets it apart in the fast-casual dining sector.
Buona differentiates itself through its dedication to authentic preparation methods and family recipes passed down through generations. The brand's expansion includes dual-branded locations with The Original Rainbow Cone, offering a unique combination of savory and sweet Chicago favorites.
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The initial investment required for a Buona franchise is
$1,465,000 - $5,841,000.
That is the total cost you would need to finance if you were to start this franchise.
These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
Buona provides three eligible standalone formats in Item 7: BUONA FREE STANDING – SINGLE BRAND, BUONA/RAINBOW CONE DUAL BRAND FREE STANDING, and BUONA INLINE– SINGLE BRAND.
Restaurant Format
Initial Investment Range
BUONA FREE STANDING – SINGLE BRAND
$3,904,203 to $5,841,375
BUONA/RAINBOW CONE DUAL BRAND FREE STANDING
$3,924,203 to $5,871,375
BUONA INLINE– SINGLE BRAND
$1,464,697 to $2,096,579
The following table presents the estimated expenditures for the BUONA FREE STANDING – SINGLE BRAND format.
For further details concerning the listed costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).
Type of Expenditure
Amount
Initial Franchise Fee
$40,000
Land Acquisition
$500,000 to $1,200,000
Site Work
$474,861 to $712,292
Construction of Building
$1,778,965 to $2,406,835
Travel and Living Costs While Training
$62,268 to $87,068
Initial Inventory and supplies
$30,000 to $45,000
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment (excluding Sign Package and POS)
$678,290 to $804,158
Sign Package
$104,532 to $135,277
POS System
$53,444 to $69,376
Miscellaneous expenses
$15,000 to $50,000
Grand Opening Advertising and Marketing
$25,000 to $40,000
On-Site Training Fee
$41,843 to $61,369
Additional Funds – 3 Months
$100,000 to $200,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment
$3,904,203 to $5,841,375
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Buona provides three eligible standalone formats in Item 7: BUONA FREE STANDING – SINGLE BRAND, BUONA/RAINBOW CONE DUAL BRAND FREE STANDING, and BUONA INLINE– SINGLE BRAND.
Restaurant Format
Initial Investment Range
BUONA FREE STANDING – SINGLE BRAND
$3,904,203 to $5,841,375
BUONA/RAINBOW CONE DUAL BRAND FREE STANDING
$3,924,203 to $5,871,375
BUONA INLINE– SINGLE BRAND
$1,464,697 to $2,096,579
The following table presents the estimated expenditures for the BUONA FREE STANDING – SINGLE BRAND format.
For further details concerning the listed costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).
Type of Expenditure
Amount
Initial Franchise Fee
$40,000
Land Acquisition
$500,000 to $1,200,000
Site Work
$474,861 to $712,292
Construction of Building
$1,778,965 to $2,406,835
Travel and Living Costs While Training
$62,268 to $87,068
Initial Inventory and supplies
$30,000 to $45,000
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment (excluding Sign Package and POS)
$678,290 to $804,158
Sign Package
$104,532 to $135,277
POS System
$53,444 to $69,376
Miscellaneous expenses
$15,000 to $50,000
Grand Opening Advertising and Marketing
$25,000 to $40,000
On-Site Training Fee
$41,843 to $61,369
Additional Funds – 3 Months
$100,000 to $200,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment
$3,904,203 to $5,841,375
Franchise Disclosure Document
Below is Buona's 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document. Sign up for free to view the document.
Number of units
Buona had 34 total units in 2026, of which 1 were franchised-owned and 33 company-owned.
Buona offers a comprehensive training program designed to prepare franchisees for successful operation and long-term compliance with brand standards. The franchisor provides the following structured training initiatives:
Initial Training Program: Before opening, the Operating Owner and three managers must attend and successfully complete Buona’s initial training, which includes virtual pre-training and in-person instruction. The program is conducted at Buona’s designated facilities and is provided at no cost for up to four attendees. Additional attendees can participate for a tuition fee, and all travel-related expenses are the responsibility of the franchisee.
On-Site Opening Assistance: Prior to and immediately after opening, Buona sends representatives to provide hands-on training and support at the franchise location. This service is charged at the franchisor’s current daily rate per trainer, plus a $20,000 non-refundable deposit and travel costs.
Supplemental Education: Franchisees, their owners, and managers may be required to attend additional training seminars, regional meetings, or webinars throughout the year—up to five days annually. Buona may charge tuition for these sessions, and attendees must cover their own expenses.
Conferences and Conventions: Attendance at national, regional, or local Buona franchisee conferences may be mandatory, especially for updates on products, operations, and marketing. Franchisees pay a registration fee and all related costs for participation.
Territory Protection
Buona grants its franchisees a defined “Protected Area,” typically comprising a half-mile radius around the approved location in urban settings or an area with at least 60,000 people in non-urban settings.
Within this zone, the franchisor agrees not to establish or authorize another Buona restaurant, provided the franchisee remains in good standing. This territorial protection aims to shield franchisees from internal brand competition and support market development.
However, this protection has notable limitations. Buona reserves the right to operate or license restaurants under other trademarks, even within a franchisee's territory, and to engage in various business activities through alternate distribution channels like supermarkets, online platforms, and direct marketing.
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