1954
30
$328,600
$25,000
$908,350
No
Carbone's Pizzeria is a beloved family-owned pizza chain rooted in Minnesota's rich culinary history. Since 1954, Carbone's has been serving high-quality, traditional Italian dishes—from its signature pizzas to pastas, sandwiches, and salads—in a warm, community-focused environment. With over 30 locations across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Montana, Carbone's offers a proven franchise model that combines time-honored recipes with modern business practices.
As a Carbone's franchisee, you become part of a legacy that values quality, consistency, and customer satisfaction. The brand's commitment to using fresh ingredients and its secret family sauce recipe have earned it a loyal customer base and a strong presence in the casual dining market.
Proven Business Model: With decades of operational success, Carbone's offers a franchise system that has stood the test of time.
Established Brand Recognition: The Carbone's name is synonymous with quality Italian cuisine in the Midwest.
Comprehensive Support: Franchisees receive extensive training and ongoing support to ensure operational success.
Diverse Revenue Streams: Opportunities for dine-in, carry-out, delivery, and catering services cater to a wide customer base.
Community Engagement: Carbone's strong community ties foster customer loyalty and repeat business.
Established Year: 1954
Franchise Units: Over 30 locations across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Montana
Founders: Alfonso and Antoinette (Nana) Carbone
Company History: Founded as a small Italian grocery in St. Paul, Minnesota, Carbone's evolved into a full-service pizzeria. The franchise began in 1977 and has grown steadily since.
Ownership: Privately owned by M & T Pizza Incorporated
Market Presence: Strong presence in the Midwest with plans for strategic expansion.
Industry Category: Quick-Service Restaurants (QSR) specializing in Italian cuisine
Carbone's Pizza prides itself on giving franchisees a comprehensive support system to maximize their chances of success. This includes pre-launch preparation, operational guidance, marketing assistance, and ongoing training. Here’s the breakdown:
Before opening, franchisees receive hands-on training designed to familiarize them with every aspect of running a Carbone’s Pizza outlet:
Operations Training: Step-by-step instruction on food preparation, menu execution, and kitchen management.
Customer Service Training: Teaching staff management, hospitality skills, and service standards to ensure a high-quality dining experience.
Business Setup: Guidance on site selection, store layout, vendor selection, and regulatory compliance.
Soft Skills Development: Leadership, problem-solving, and team management training to handle daily challenges effectively.
Once your store is open, Carbone’s continues to assist with:
Inventory & Supply Chain Management: Help in sourcing ingredients, managing stock, and optimizing costs.
Staff Training & Retention: Assistance in recruiting, training, and retaining skilled employees.
Day-to-Day Management: Expert advice on running daily operations efficiently, from peak hours to slow periods.
Carbone's offers robust marketing tools to build brand awareness and drive sales:
Promotional Campaigns: Access to national and local marketing strategies, including seasonal promotions, coupons, and loyalty programs.
Digital Marketing: Support for social media campaigns, email marketing, and online reputation management.
Brand Guidelines: Ensures consistent branding across all franchise locations.
Franchisees also get structured academic support to strengthen business skills:
Financial Management: Training in bookkeeping, budgeting, and profitability tracking.
Operational Analytics: Guidance in using key performance indicators (KPIs) to improve efficiency and sales.
Business Growth Strategies: Tips and coaching for expanding operations or adding delivery/catering services.
Carbone's doesn’t just train you once—they maintain continuous engagement:
Field Support: Regular visits from area managers or consultants to review performance and provide recommendations.
Franchisee Network: Opportunities to connect with other franchisees to share best practices.
Continuous Education: Access to new product training, updated procedures, and workshops.
Carbone's Pizza is looking for franchise partners who are not just investors but also passionate entrepreneurs dedicated to maintaining the brand’s high standards and community reputation. The ideal franchisee combines business acumen with a love for food service and customer engagement.
Ownership Mindset: The franchisee should be ready to take full responsibility for the success of their location.
Growth-Oriented: Interested in expanding operations and exploring additional revenue streams like catering and delivery.
Problem-Solving Skills: Able to handle daily challenges, from staffing issues to customer service situations.
Local Engagement: Passionate about becoming an active member of the community and building lasting customer relationships.
Customer-Centric Approach: Prioritizes customer satisfaction and service excellence in all interactions.
Investment Capability: Able to meet the total investment requirement of $328,600–$908,350 (including franchise fee, infrastructure, working capital, and marketing).
Risk Awareness: Understands the financial risks and has a realistic plan for managing operating costs and achieving break-even.
Business Management Experience: Background in hospitality, restaurant management, or running a small business is advantageous.
Operational Understanding: Familiarity with staff management, inventory, and financial reporting is a plus.
Adaptability: Open to learning Carbone's proven processes and adhering to brand standards.
Location Preference: Ideally located in areas with high foot traffic or suburban/urban markets with strong dining demand.
Hands-On Involvement: Willing to actively manage or supervise day-to-day operations rather than solely investing passively.
Long-Term Commitment: Sees the franchise as a long-term business opportunity rather than a short-term investment.
Passionate About Food Service: Genuine interest in Italian cuisine and delivering a memorable dining experience.
Leadership Skills: Capable of motivating and managing a team of employees effectively.
Ethical & Professional: Maintains high standards of integrity, customer service, and brand representation.
| Financial Item | Details / Range |
|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $25,000 |
| Total Investment Required | $328,600 – $908,350 |
| Infrastructure / Build-Out Cost | $200,000 – $600,000 (depending on location & size) |
| Working Capital | ~$20,000 |
| Marketing Fee | 1% of monthly gross sales |
| Royalty Fee | 3% of monthly gross sales |
| Expected Break-Even Time | 12 – 24 months |
| Revenue Streams | Dine-in, carry-out, delivery, catering |
| Expected ROI | Varies based on location, sales volume, and operational efficiency |
| Franchise Units (Current) | 30+ locations in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Montana |
| Additional Costs | Equipment, signage, initial inventory, licenses & permits |
| Potential Revenue Range (Annual) | $500,000 – $1,200,000+ depending on location & operations |
