Uno Pizzeria & Grill Selling Frozen Pizza Business to Great Kitchens Food Co.

Pizzeria Uno is selling its frozen pizza business, Uno Foods, to Great Kitchen Food Co., part of private equity firm Brynwood Partners, for an undisclosed price.

The pizzeria started selling frozen pizzas back in 1988 so that customers could take home the famous Chicago deep-dish style pizza that they enjoyed in the restaurant. These frozen pizzas found an immense amount of success, with there now being approximately 6,000 outlets that carry Pizzeria Uno frozen pizza and these sales accounting for around a quarter of the company’s revenue. However, they are selling this side of their business to refocus on their restaurants and franchising.

“We are fundamentally a restaurant company focused on running restaurants and franchising restaurants,” said CEO Erik Frederick.

Pizzeria Uno believes it has found a fantastic partner in Great Kitchens and Byrnwood Partners, as the companies already manufacture frozen pizzas at a plant in Chicago, the city where Pizzeria Uno was founded in 1943.

The 80-unit chain is targeting hotels for its franchise expansion and hopes to convert dining rooms into full-service Pizzeria Uno locations. In 2022, the pizza brand opened five new restaurants and plans to add 10 in 2023.