GIONINO's PIZZERIA

GIONINO's PIZZERIA requires an initial investment of $65,000 to $127,500 and has deep roots in Northeast Ohio. Brothers Sam and Chuck Owen took over an existing pizza shop by the same name in Tallmadge, Ohio, in July 1989. They replaced all recipes and rebuilt the business model, turning a neighborhood carryout into a franchise centered on hand tossed pizza, Italiano Fried Chicken, Buckeye Wings, and regional comfort food. The original Tallmadge location became a gathering place for families and loyal local customers, creating the word of mouth base for the brand. GIONINO's PIZZERIA now has over 60 locations throughout Ohio. Some official website sources report over 55 franchised units, compared with 25 franchises in 2013. Current database records list 9 franchised units and 5 total documented units in the current FDD cycle, which may reflect reporting differences rather than the full operating count. Headquartered in Canal Fulton, Ohio, the company serves a regional niche within the $21.9 billion U.S. pizza market. Its position is based on community familiarity, distinct menu items, and local roots rather than national advertising. PeerSense presents this as independent research for buyers, not marketing copy, and PeerSense is not a lender.

The U.S. pizza market was valued at approximately $21.9 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $32.7 billion by 2034. Globally, one pizza foodservice forecast reaches $585.0 billion by 2033 from $320.0 billion in 2026, at a 9% CAGR. Another estimates growth from $158.93 billion in 2026 to $257.17 billion in 2031 at a 10.10% CAGR. The global limited service restaurant market is projected to grow from $1,281.4 million in 2025 to $2,087.3 million by 2035 at a 5.0% CAGR. Takeout is forecast to represent approximately 47.2% of pizza foodservice in 2026, while delivery only formats are projected to grow at approximately 9.1% CAGR through 2033. Chained outlets are expected to hold roughly 70.2% of pizza foodservice revenue in 2026. These figures support the relevance of a structured carryout and delivery system. Demand for customization, premium ingredients, and regional authenticity may also benefit a brand with GIONINO's PIZZERIA's Ohio identity.

The franchise fee is $65,900, near the upper end of the typical Quick Service Restaurant range of $6,250 to $90,000 in 2025. That fee represents approximately 10% to 20% of the total initial investment. The full investment runs from $65,000 to $127,500, compared with the typical pizza franchise opening cost of $200,000 to $600,000. Premium brands and larger formats can exceed $1 million. Pizza franchise net worth requirements generally range from $250,000 to $1.5 million. GIONINO's PIZZERIA's liquid capital form places applicants in tiers beginning at $75,000 to $150,000, with higher tiers reaching $200,000 and above. The lower investment may point to conversion opportunities, smaller carryout and delivery units, or other lower cost formats rather than large dine in locations. Most pizza franchisors in the QSR category charge royalties of 5% to 6% of gross sales and advertising contributions of approximately 5% of gross sales. Those figures provide a general ownership cost benchmark because specific GIONINO's PIZZERIA rates are not disclosed in the available materials. Buyers considering financing can evaluate SBA loan programs, which are widely used in the limited service restaurant franchise sector. PeerSense can introduce buyers to SBA and conventional lenders, but does not lend, fund, or approve loans.

GIONINO's PIZZERIA offers takeout, delivery, and dine in formats, allowing unit design to reflect the property and local market. The menu includes pizza, subs, chicken, wings, potato wedges known locally as JoJos, and specialty products such as Italiano Fried Chicken. A carryout and delivery unit such as the Kettering location that opened in 2021 is expected to employ approximately 20 people. New franchisee operators and staff complete at least six weeks at an existing GIONINO's PIZZERIA location learning the company's stated “Gionino's way.” The training is intended to support recipe consistency, service standards, and operating procedures before opening. The brand presents the system as suitable for hard working owner operators without extensive restaurant experience, provided they can execute consistently. Its expansion examples are hands on. Tony Clark in Dayton, along with Lawrence Halpin and Dan Shackelford in the Columbus area, have personally investigated sites and managed local growth decisions. In active markets, the territory approach appears to favor multi unit commitments. Dayton operators have pursued third and fourth locations while operating their first two units.

Those corporate figures do not establish franchisee unit economics, but they offer context about company scale and support resources. The network grew from 25 franchised locations in 2013 to over 55 to 60 locations in the current period. Buyers should request and independently review franchisee financial statements and speak with operators in Dayton, Columbus, and Northeast Ohio before signing an agreement.

GIONINO's PIZZERIA grew from 25 franchised locations in 2013 to over 60 operating units across Ohio, adding more than 35 locations over approximately a decade. In the Columbus area, Pickerington opened in 2018 and a Westerville location was planned for July 2021. The Halpin and Shackelford franchise group was also considering additional Columbus area units. In Dayton, Tony Clark and his group opened their first Miami Valley location in 2019 and a second location in Kettering in 2021. As of March 2021, they were investigating third and fourth sites. The company has stated an ambition to expand beyond Ohio and across the United States. Its Ohio identity is tied to hand tossed pizza, Italiano Fried Chicken, Buckeye Wings, JoJos, and House Italian Dressing and Marinade. Customer reviews describe the pepperoni pizza as “phenomenal” and the meatball sub as “fantastic,” while long term customers have expressed excitement when new locations open nearby. Takeout's projected 47.2% share of pizza foodservice in 2026 and delivery only growth of approximately 9.1% CAGR through 2033 align with the brand's operating model. The brand also uses an award winning designation for its pizza and has introduced items such as the Mac and Cheese Pizza.

The brand describes its preferred candidate as a hard working owner operator rather than a passive investor. Prior food service experience is not explicitly required because of the six week training program. Operational discipline, community involvement, and local market knowledge appear common among active franchisees. Multi unit ownership is encouraged. The Dayton group has planned third and fourth locations while operating its first two, and the Columbus group has considered additional locations beyond its first two units. Development is concentrated in Ohio, including the Columbus metro area, the Dayton region, and broader Northeast Ohio. The company's national expansion plans could create opportunities in nearby Midwest states and elsewhere for qualified multi unit candidates. Markets with strong community identity, suburban family demographics, and limited premium pizza competition may fit the brand's positioning and price point. The full FDD provides the franchise agreement term, transfer rules, and resale provisions to qualified candidates after execution of a non disclosure agreement. Buyers should use independent legal counsel familiar with franchise agreements when reviewing those provisions.

GIONINO's PIZZERIA offers a total investment entry point below $130,000 in a category where pizza franchise costs commonly begin at $200,000 and often exceed $600,000. The Loan Activity Score is 20 and classified as Limited, indicating that independent research and direct franchisee interviews are necessary. The profile may suit buyers who can assess an early to mid stage franchise system rather than investors seeking the disclosure standards of a large established chain. Global pizza foodservice forecasts show growth at a 9% to 10% CAGR toward a projected $585 billion market by 2033. PeerSense provides independent due diligence data that includes SBA lending history, Loan Activity Score analysis, location maps with Google ratings, FDD financial data, and comparison tools. Buyers can compare GIONINO's PIZZERIA with other limited service restaurant franchises by investment size, unit growth rate, royalty structure, and financial disclosure quality. Independent data should be part of the review before a buyer commits capital to this franchise.