Uno's Pizzeria & Grill Franchise
Audited FinancialsRisk Score
Pending analysis
Investment Range
$211,500 - $2,498,500
Franchise Fee
$10,000
Total US Locations
52
Business Summary
Pizzeria Uno Corporation offers franchises for various casual theme restaurants under the name Pizzeria Uno®. These include full-service hotel conversion restaurants, larger full-service restaurants, and take-out and delivery-only restaurants. All Pizzeria Uno® restaurants feature "Chicago Style" deep dish and thin crust pizza, along with other styles of pizza, sandwiches, salads, appetizers, and desserts. Full-service locations may also offer soups, pasta, and alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine, or a full bar, subject to applicable law. The take-out and delivery model focuses on a limited pizza menu for off-premises consumption.
Corporate History
Pizzeria Uno Corporation's predecessor was originally incorporated in Massachusetts on October 3, 1979, and began offering franchises for casual theme restaurants in January 1980. The current Pizzeria Uno Corporation was incorporated in Delaware on September 29, 1989, and has been offering Uno-branded restaurant franchises since then. The company's ultimate parent entities underwent a reorganization and emerged from bankruptcy on July 26, 2010. In April 2024, Pizzeria Uno Corporation became a wholly-owned subsidiary of a new parent company, TopCo, in a transaction that included a debt payoff for the previous parent.
Financial Overview
Investment Range
$211,500 - $2,498,500
Franchise Fee (Low)
$10,000
Franchise Fee (High)
$40,000
Royalty %
5%
Marketing %
1%
Equipment Costs (Low)
$115,000
Equipment Costs (High)
$1,810,000
Working Capital
$102,500
Audited Financials
Yes
Offers Financing
No
Audit Opinion
Unqualified opinion
Financial Health Notes
Pizzeria Uno Corporation received an unqualified audit opinion for its financial statements for the fiscal years ended October 3, 2023, and October 4, 2022, indicating a clean financial position. The company's parent had significant indenture debt of $48.1 million as of October 3, 2023, due in April 2027. However, in April 2024, Pizzeria Uno Corporation was purchased by Newport Global Opportunities Fund, which included a $32.9 million debt payoff for the parent. This acquisition is expected to improve working capital, reduce long-term debt, and support growth in the franchise business.
Financing Details
Pizzeria Uno Corporation does not offer any direct or indirect financing to its franchisees. This means franchisees will need to secure their own funding for the initial investment and ongoing operations, as Pizzeria Uno Corporation also does not guarantee any notes, leases, or other financial obligations.
Performance Metrics
Total US Locations
52
Franchised Units
36
Corporate Units
21
Avg Square Footage
3,167
Franchising Since
1980
Legal & Compliance Analysis
Recent Litigation
No
Bankruptcy
No
Litigation Summary
Pizzeria Uno Corporation has no pending or concluded litigation that is required to be disclosed in this Franchise Disclosure Document. This means Pizzeria Uno Corporation does not have any reported legal disputes or lawsuits.
Bankruptcy History
Pizzeria Uno Corporation does not have any bankruptcy history that is required to be disclosed in this Franchise Disclosure Document. While its parent company had a reorganization and emerged from bankruptcy in 2010, the franchisor entity, Pizzeria Uno Corporation, has no reportable bankruptcies.
Agreement Terms
Initial Term
10 years
Renewal Term
10 years
Renewal Conditions
To renew their franchise agreement, Pizzeria Uno Corporation franchisees must provide written notice at least 7 months (but no more than 12 months) before their current term expires. They are required to modernize and update the restaurant premises and equipment to meet Pizzeria Uno Corporation's current brand standards within 24 months of signing the new agreement. Franchisees must not be in default of any agreements, have fulfilled all monetary obligations to Pizzeria Uno Corporation, ensure they have the right to occupy the premises for the renewal term, and pay a renewal fee equal to 50% of the then-current initial franchise fee. Additionally, they must sign Pizzeria Uno Corporation's current franchise agreement (which may have different terms and conditions) and a general release of claims, and complete all updated qualification and training requirements.
Training & Support Program
Franchisor Assistance
Pizzeria Uno Corporation provides various forms of assistance to its franchisees. Before opening, Pizzeria Uno Corporation offers site selection guidance, architectural and design plans, online access to training materials, an initial training program for key personnel, and on-site pre-opening assistance. After the restaurant opens, Pizzeria Uno Corporation continues to offer support by potentially licensing computer software for operations, conducting regular on-site inspections and evaluations, providing advertising and promotional materials, and offering advice and written materials on management and operational techniques. This includes overseeing the Business Co-op Program for advertising, marketing, and promotions.
Initial Training Hours
206
Training Location
Parent-owned Uno Restaurant locations
Ongoing Support
After opening, Pizzeria Uno Corporation offers ongoing support including licensing computer software programs (such as Crunchtime for back-of-house operations and Paytronix for guest loyalty and online ordering) and providing support services for them. The franchisor conducts visits and evaluations of the restaurant's products and services, provides advertising and promotional materials, and offers advice and written materials on managing and operating the restaurant, including new developments in equipment and food products. Franchisees also contribute to a Business Co-op Program for advertising, promotion, and marketing, and may be assessed for a System Wide Marketing and Media Fund in the future. Additionally, Pizzeria Uno Corporation charges a help desk fee for technology support and may offer additional training programs and seminars for a fee, with on-site remedial training available upon request.
Franchise Requirements
Ideal Candidate Profile
Pizzeria Uno Corporation seeks franchisees who designate an Operating Principal to devote substantial full-time efforts to supervising and conducting the Uno Restaurant. This Operating Principal, and their General Manager, must meet Pizzeria Uno Corporation's educational and experience requirements and successfully complete training programs, devoting full time and best efforts to the supervision and management of the restaurant.
Industry Experience Required
No
Management Experience Required
Yes
Sales Experience Required
No
Technical Skills Required
No
Operational Details
Location Type
Retail
Owner Participation
Full-Time
Territory Type
Non-Exclusive
Staff Count
25
Territory Size Requirements
Pizzeria Uno Corporation's territories (assigned areas for single franchises or larger territories for multi-unit development) are defined by boundary streets, highways, city or county lines, a specific radius, or based on population and market demographics. However, there is no stated minimum size for these territories, as the determination varies by local market conditions.
Staffing Notes
Pizzeria Uno Corporation states that the average restaurant team consists of 25 employees. Franchisees must hire at least 18 employees before Pizzeria Uno Corporation's team can begin on-site training. This training covers Heart of House roles such as cooks, prep, dishwasher, salad/prep/maintenance personnel, and Front of House roles including hosts, cashiers, and shift staff. Franchisees are solely responsible for all employment decisions, ensuring adequate training, maintaining a competent staff, and adhering to dress codes.