The Chicago-born pizza chain is pursuing franchise-led growth through a master franchise partnership with FranGlobal Group, with plans to establish a wider presence across the Indian market.
UNO Pizzeria & Grill is targeting 75 restaurants across India over the next decade, as the American casual-dining brand pursues a renewed expansion through a master franchise partnership with FranGlobal Group. The development plan is expected to focus initially on major metropolitan markets, with opportunities for local entrepreneurs and multi-unit operators to participate in the rollout.
Founded in Chicago in 1943, UNO Pizzeria & Grill is known for its Chicago-style deep-dish pizza, a signature offering that has helped establish its identity in the international casual-dining sector. The brand has since expanded its menu beyond pizza, creating a broader restaurant concept designed to appeal to families and groups.
The India expansion follows a master franchise agreement with FranGlobal Group in 2026, establishing a framework for franchise recruitment and restaurant development. The 75-outlet target represents the brand’s ambition for the next 10 years, although the pace of openings will depend on franchise commitments, site selection and restaurant performance.
UNO’s India strategy centres on a franchise-led operating model, with opportunities for investors to develop individual restaurants or participate in multi-unit expansion. The brand is exploring different restaurant formats to accommodate varying property sizes and investment capacities, ranging from smaller outlets to full-service dining locations.
An October 2026 franchise opportunity presentation outlined an indicative investment of ₹1.6 crore to ₹1.7 crore for a full-service restaurant occupying approximately 1,800–2,000 sq. ft. The proposed terms included a franchise fee of ₹20 lakh, a marketing fund contribution of ₹10 lakh and a royalty of 5% of monthly sales. The presentation also indicated a five-year agreement, renewable for a further five years, and a projected payback period of around 36 months. These figures are indicative and should be confirmed with the brand, as actual costs and returns will vary by location, operating expenses and restaurant performance.
The franchise programme includes opportunities under a Franchise Owned, Franchise Operated (FOFO) structure, allowing local partners to invest in and operate restaurants in accordance with the brand’s systems. Area development arrangements could also enable qualified investors to establish multiple outlets within designated territories.
UNO’s menu extends beyond its signature deep-dish pizza to include thin-crust pizzas, flatbreads, appetisers, burgers, sandwiches, pasta, soups, salads and desserts. This broader offering allows the brand to target different dining occasions while creating additional revenue opportunities through dine-in, takeaway and delivery, depending on the restaurant format.
For the Indian market, menu localisation, pricing and ingredient sourcing will be important considerations as the brand seeks to appeal to regional preferences while maintaining its Chicago-style identity. Competition from established international chains and domestic pizza operators will also influence its ability to secure market share and build a sustainable restaurant network.
UNO has also invested in restaurant technology to support operational efficiency. In 2023, the company announced the adoption of Oracle MICROS Simphony Cloud Point of Sale to strengthen restaurant management and access to business performance data. Technology, staff training, site selection and operating systems are important components of franchise network development, particularly as brands expand across multiple markets.
The company’s India expansion reflects its broader ambition to develop through local partnerships while leveraging its established restaurant concept. The proposed 75-outlet rollout will require a pipeline of suitable franchisees, commercially viable locations and consistent execution across different cities.
With its master franchise partnership and long-term development target, UNO Pizzeria & Grill is positioning India as a market for renewed growth, combining its American restaurant heritage with a franchise model designed to support a wider national presence.
