Tomaso's is a pizza restaurant franchise offering Detroit-style deep-dish and traditional pizzas, serving families and local regulars, and known for caramelized cheese-edged crusts, hearty toppings, and community-rooted locations across midwestern towns and neighborhoods.
Tomaso’s is a regional pizza franchise best known for its classic Italian-American pizza and strong local following in Iowa. The brand was founded in 1996 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where the original restaurant quickly gained popularity for its hand-tossed pizzas made with fresh ingredients.
Tomaso’s built its reputation as a neighborhood pizza destination focused on quality, consistency, and customer loyalty.
The concept expanded beyond its original location through franchising in the mid-2000s. Tomaso’s began franchising in 2005, with additional locations opening in nearby Iowa communities such as Hiawatha and Marion.
While the brand has remained regionally focused, franchising allowed Tomaso’s to grow its footprint while maintaining its original menu and operating style.
Tomaso’s sells a menu centered on pizza, including specialty pizzas, build-your-own options, subs, salads, and classic sides. The brand emphasizes traditional pizza recipes, fresh dough, and familiar flavors that appeal to families and repeat customers.
Initial investment
The initial investment required for a Tomaso's franchise is
$145,000 - $282,000.
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.
Type of Expenditure
Amount
Initial Fee
$50,000
Travel & Living Expenses While Attending Initial Training
$2,500 – $4,000
Real Estate Improvements
$5,000 – $10,000
Rent & Security Deposit (3 Months)
$5,000 – $15,000
Leasehold Improvements
$50,000 – $100,000
Equipment
$12,000 – $19,000
Furniture, Office Equipment & Software
$3,500 – $12,500
Signs
$500 – $1,000
Licenses
$200 – $600
Grand Opening
$3,000 – $8,500
Marketing & Marketing Fee (First 3 Months)
$7,500 – $10,000
Insurance
$2,500 – $3,500
Legal Fees
$1,000 – $5,000
Opening Inventory of Supplies
$5,000 – $15,000
Additional Funds (3 Months)
$25,000 – $50,000
Miscellaneous Opening Costs
$10,000 – $15,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment
$145,200 – $319,100
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Type of Expenditure
Amount
Initial Fee
$50,000
Travel & Living Expenses While Attending Initial Training
$2,500 – $4,000
Real Estate Improvements
$5,000 – $10,000
Rent & Security Deposit (3 Months)
$5,000 – $15,000
Leasehold Improvements
$50,000 – $100,000
Equipment
$12,000 – $19,000
Furniture, Office Equipment & Software
$3,500 – $12,500
Signs
$500 – $1,000
Licenses
$200 – $600
Grand Opening
$3,000 – $8,500
Marketing & Marketing Fee (First 3 Months)
$7,500 – $10,000
Insurance
$2,500 – $3,500
Legal Fees
$1,000 – $5,000
Opening Inventory of Supplies
$5,000 – $15,000
Additional Funds (3 Months)
$25,000 – $50,000
Miscellaneous Opening Costs
$10,000 – $15,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment
$145,200 – $319,100
Franchise Disclosure Document
Below is Tomaso's's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.
Number of units
Tomaso's had 0 total units in 2025, of which 0 were franchised-owned and 0 company-owned.
Tomaso’s provides a structured training program to help franchisees and their staff prepare for the launch and successful operation of their restaurant. Training is conducted primarily at the Tomaso’s location in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, and includes hands-on learning rather than classroom instruction. The training programs are outlined below:
Initial Training Program: Franchisees and at least one manager must complete a 100-hour on-the-job training program before opening. The training is conducted by Nichole Thomas and Scott Thomas, both owner/operators with over a decade of experience, and may include manuals, videos, and presentations. Completion is based on knowledge tests and the franchisor’s assessment of the trainee’s capabilities.
Additional Personnel Training: Training for up to three people is included in the initial franchise fee. If additional staff require training, it must be paid for by the franchisee, including all travel, lodging, and compensation expenses.
Ongoing and Remedial Training: Tomaso’s may require managers and employees to participate in ongoing training programs post-opening, subject to the franchisor's standard fees. These sessions aim to support consistent operational standards across locations.
Training for New Managers: If a manager is hired after the business opens, they must complete the full training program within 60 days of assuming their role.
Territory Protection
Tomaso’s grants its franchisees a defined geographic territory, as outlined in Exhibit B of the Franchise Agreement. As long as the franchisee is not in breach of the agreement, the franchisor agrees not to open or locate another Tomaso’s franchise or company-owned outlet using the Tomaso’s system or marks within that territory. The franchisee is only allowed to operate one location and must conduct all direct marketing solely within their territory unless otherwise approved by the franchisor.
However, Tomaso’s reserves certain exceptions to this territorial protection. The franchisor can exclude specific sites from the granted territory and is not obligated to provide compensation if other franchisees or the company solicit or fulfill orders within the area.
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