At the recently concluded Franchise India 2026, one of the biggest highlights for food franchise enthusiasts was the strong interest shown by iconic American deep-dish pizza brand Uno Pizzeria & Grill towards India.
Founded in Chicago in 1943, Uno Pizzeria & Grill is widely recognized as the creator of Chicago-style deep-dish pizza and currently operates across the United States and international markets including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Honduras, and India-linked expansion territories.
The brand’s discussions at Franchise India 2026 signal growing international confidence in India’s foodservice and franchise ecosystem, especially as global legacy brands increasingly look at India not just as a consumption market, but as a long-term strategic growth destination.
In an exclusive interaction with Fran.News Editor Abha Garyali, Chuck Buttiglieri, President of Operations at Uno Pizzeria & Grill, spoke about India’s growing importance, menu localization, vegetarian innovation, affordability, and why the brand sees tremendous long-term potential in the Indian market.
Welcome to India, Chuck. You’ve been attending Franchise India 2026 at Yashobhoomi. How has the experience been so far?
Chuck Buttiglieri: It’s been amazing. Truly amazing. The energy here is incredible and the interest from Indian entrepreneurs, franchise investors, and consumers has been overwhelming. India is clearly becoming one of the most exciting growth markets globally for international food brands.
India is no longer viewed merely as an emerging market. It is now considered a serious growth engine for global brands. What makes India strategically important for Uno’s international expansion?
Chuck Buttiglieri: Absolutely! 100 percent. India is strategically very important for us. Uno has always prided itself on offering a unique and high-quality product experience. We invented the Chicago deep-dish pizza back in 1943 in Chicago, Illinois, and that legacy still defines who we are today.
What excites us about India is the scale, the young consumer base, and the strong family dining culture. Pizza is a universally loved category, but India has elevated it into a social and family-sharing experience, which aligns perfectly with our brand DNA.
Q. Indian food preferences are very different from Western markets. How do you plan to localize the Uno menu for India?
Chuck Buttiglieri: We completely understand that local culture dictates the menu. Uno has decades of international operating experience, and we know that successful localization is the key to long-term growth.
What remains constant for us is the foundation, the crust, the sauce, and the cheese. Those are the core pillars of the Uno experience. Beyond that, we adapt thoughtfully for every market.
Obviously, there will be no beef offerings in India. We already have a strong range of vegetarian and vegan pizzas globally. In the United States, we use very high-grade vegan cheese, and we believe that will resonate strongly with Indian consumers as well. India gives us an opportunity to innovate with flavours while still maintaining the authenticity of the Uno experience.
Q. Pizza is already a crowded category in India. How will Uno differentiate itself?
Chuck Buttiglieri: The biggest differentiator is our heritage and our product authenticity. We are not just another pizza chain; we are the birthplace of Chicago deep-dish pizza.
Our deep-dish pizza is indulgent, handcrafted, and highly shareable. It creates a complete dining occasion rather than just a quick-service meal. Indian consumers value family dining and group experiences, and pizza naturally fits that culture.
Our large pizzas are designed for sharing among four to six people, which automatically creates value for families and groups.
Q. Younger Indian consumers today seek healthier, trend-forward options. How do you modernize a heritage brand without diluting its DNA?
Chuck Buttiglieri: That’s a great question. Our DNA will always remain pizza, especially deep-dish pizza. But over the years, we’ve continuously evolved.
Today, Uno offers multiple crust formats beyond deep dish. We have thin crust, cauliflower crust, gluten-free crust, and even Detroit-style pizza, which is very contemporary and trendy right now.
Younger consumers globally are looking for customization, healthier alternatives, and variety. We’ve adapted to those preferences while still staying true to our roots.
Q. Affordability remains critical in India. How are you approaching pricing for the market?
Chuck Buttiglieri: We are currently studying the market carefully along with Franchise India and our local partners. Pricing has to make sense for the Indian consumer. Our goal is to create a menu architecture that balances authenticity, quality, and accessibility. We want Uno to be aspirational but still affordable and approachable for Indian families.
Q. What role has Franchise India played in helping Uno understand the Indian opportunity?
Chuck Buttiglieri: They’ve been fantastic. Their understanding of the Indian market, consumer behaviour, franchise ecosystem, and operational landscape has been extremely valuable for us.
We’re now entering the second phase of discussions and evaluations, and we’re very enthusiastic about what lies ahead.
Q. Finally, what message would you like to give Indian consumers eagerly waiting for Uno to launch?
Chuck Buttiglieri: I would say: get ready for a completely different pizza experience. We are excited to bring an iconic American pizza heritage brand to India while embracing Indian tastes and preferences.
And personally, I’m really looking forward to sharing Uno pizza with India very soon.
