About Aurelio's Is Pizza Franchise
Aurelio's Is Pizza is a family-style pizzeria franchise that has been serving communities since 1959.
Franchisees operate full-service sit-down restaurants or carry-out/delivery locations, offering pizza, pastas, sandwiches, and liquid refreshments including alcoholic beverages.
The target customers are families and individuals seeking quality Italian food in a casual dining environment, competing with both national pizza chains like Pizza Hut, Domino's, and Little Caesar's, as well as regional chains and local family pizzerias.
Aurelio's Is Pizza Franchise Cost & Fees
Minimum Investment
$498K
Average Investment
$1.0M
Maximum Investment
$1.5M
| Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $49,000 | One-time payment upon signing |
| Royalty Fee | 5% of total gross sales of gross sales | Ongoing; paid monthly |
| Marketing/Ad Fund | 2% of total gross sales (Advertising Fund) plus 1% of total gross sales (Local Advertising) | National brand fund |
| Total Investment Range | $497,904 – $1,502,939 | Includes build-out, inventory, working capital |
The investment range of $498K–$1.5M reflects variability in build-out costs, store size, lease terms, and market. The combined royalty (5% of total gross sales) and marketing fee (2% of total gross sales (Advertising Fund) plus 1% of total gross sales (Local Advertising)) are ongoing costs paid as a percentage of gross sales.
Investment Breakdown (Item 7)
| Item | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $49,000 | $49,000 |
| Travel & Living Expenses for Management Training | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| Cost of Staff Training and Grand Opening Assistance (Sit-Down) | $7,500 | $15,000 |
| Real Estate - 3 Months (Sit-Down) | $25,000 | $30,000 |
| Improvements to Real Estate (Sit-Down) | $675,000 | $750,000 |
| Equipment (Sit-Down) | $300,000 | $350,000 |
| Point of Sale System (Sit-Down) | $3,939 | $3,939 |
| Audio, Video, Telephone and Security Systems (Sit-Down) | $20,000 | $25,000 |
| Opening Inventory (Sit-Down) | $25,000 | $30,000 |
| Insurance (Sit-Down) | $20,000 | $25,000 |
| Exterior Signs and Canopies (Sit-Down) | $15,000 | $20,000 |
| Advertising - 3 Months (Sit-Down) | $20,000 | $25,000 |
| Smallwares (Sit-Down) | $22,000 | $25,000 |
| Interior Decor (Sit-Down) | $5,000 | $10,000 |
| Uniforms (Sit-Down) | $3,000 | $5,000 |
| Miscellaneous Opening Costs (Sit-Down) | $10,000 | $15,000 |
| Additional Funds - 3 Months (Sit-Down) | $100,000 | $120,000 |
| Cost of Staff Training and Grand Opening Assistance (Take-Out) | $3,500 | $7,500 |
| Real Estate - 3 Months (Take-Out) | $9,500 | $12,000 |
| Improvements to Real Estate (Take-Out) | $180,000 | $225,000 |
| Equipment (Take-Out) | $120,000 | $140,000 |
| Point of Sale System (Take-Out) | $3,404 | $3,404 |
| Audio, Video, Telephone and Security Systems (Take-Out) | $8,000 | $12,000 |
| Opening Inventory (Take-Out) | $10,000 | $15,000 |
| Insurance (Take-Out) | $8,000 | $12,000 |
| Exterior Signs and Canopies (Take-Out) | $8,000 | $10,000 |
| Advertising - 3 Months (Take-Out) | $15,000 | $17,000 |
| Smallwares (Take-Out) | $10,000 | $12,000 |
| Interior Decor (Take-Out) | $1,000 | $2,000 |
| Uniforms (Take-Out) | $3,000 | $3,000 |
| Miscellaneous Opening Costs (Take-Out) | $5,000 | $10,000 |
| Additional Funds - 3 Months (Take-Out) | $60,000 | $80,000 |
Additional Fees (Item 6)
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Transfer Fee | $20,000 |
| Renewal Fee | None |
| Audit Fee | Cost of audit plus 18% interest on underpayment |
| Training Expenses | Actual costs for travel, lodging, and per diem based on GSA rates |
| Additional Management Training | Actual costs for travel, lodging, per diem plus $30.00 per hour for instructors |
| Video Gaming Fee | 1% of Net Terminal Income |
Training Program (Item 11)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Total Duration | 2 to 2.5 weeks for management training, plus 2+ weeks employee training |
| Classroom Training | 0 hours |
| On-the-Job Training | 100 hours (management: 40 cooking + 40 food handling + 20 systems operation) |
| Training Location | Homewood, IL or a nearby franchise location |
| Additional Training | Employee training of 16-24 hours on-the-job at franchised location. Additional management training may be required for new managers at $30/hour for instructors plus travel costs. |
Territory Rights (Item 12)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Territory Type | Exclusive |
| Exclusive Territory | Yes |
| Territory Size | Radius of 1-3 city blocks (central business district) or up to 3 miles (outlying residential area) |
| Description | Exclusive territory measured from franchised location. Aurelio's will not operate a restaurant or grant franchises for a similar or competitive business within the territory. However, territories may overlap with other franchisees. Franchisor retains the right to sell through non-restaurant channels (frozen, grocery, internet, etc.) within territory. Certain unique sites (military, public transportation, sports facilities, universities, casinos, etc.) are excluded. |
Renewal, Termination & Transfer (Item 17)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Initial Term | 5 years or term of Lease Agreement, whichever is less |
| Renewal Term | Unlimited additional 5-year terms |
| Renewal Fee | None |
| Renewal Conditions | Must be in good standing, execute a new current Franchise Agreement. May be asked to sign a contract with materially different terms and conditions. Must maintain suitable premises. |
| Transfer Fee | $20,000 |
| Transfer Conditions | Aurelio's has right to approve all transfers and right of first refusal. New franchisee must qualify, transfer fee paid, sale agreement approved, Franchise Agreement approved, debts paid, training completed, release signed, current agreement signed by new franchisee who assumes obligations, and restaurant updated as required. |
| Termination for Cause | Curable defaults: 10 days to cure nonpayment, 30 days for other breaches. Non-curable defaults: abandonment, insolvency/bankruptcy, unapproved transfers, misuse of trademarks, understatement of gross sales, failure to submit required information, failure to keep records, sanitation problems, repeated defaults even if cured, material misrepresentations, failure to maintain premises, conviction of felony, unresolved judgments, default or termination of other agreements. |
| Non-Compete Period | 2 years after termination or expiration |
| Non-Compete Details | No involvement in competing business within 5-mile radius of franchised location for 2 years after termination or expiration, including after assignment. During term, no involvement in any competing business at any location. |
Operations & Supply (Items 8 & 15)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Owner-Operator Required | Yes |
| Participation Details | If individual, must directly supervise the franchised business on premises. If corporation, the principal executive officer must directly supervise. This requirement may be waived in writing by Aurelio's, but only where a full-time manager who is fully trained is appointed. |
| Required Suppliers | Aurelio's Quality Products, LLC (branded sausage, pepperoni, meats, cheese, pizza crust, ravioli); Wilkens FoodService (boxed sauces, mixes, Italian dressing, mushrooms, branded boxes and packaging); Turano Baking Company (sandwich bread, pasta bread, bread sticks); J & L Uniform (employee uniforms); Integra Graphics (branded decorations, photographs, interior decor, menus); Express Signs (exterior signage); Toast, Inc. (POS system); Pepsi (soft drinks); Incentivio (rewards, gift cards, online ordering) |
| Supply Restrictions | Franchisees must purchase branded products from designated suppliers. 30-45% of initial purchases and 38-53% of ongoing purchases are source-specific or specification-related. |
| Franchisor Revenue from Suppliers | Aurelio's Quality Products, LLC (affiliate) had total revenues in 2023 of $5,629,981, of which $4,670,379 (83%) was from franchisee required purchases. |
Financing (Item 10)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Financing Available | No |
| Description | Aurelio's does not offer direct or indirect financing. Aurelio's does not guarantee any of your notes, leases or obligations associated with your franchised business. |
Aurelio's Is Pizza Franchise Earnings — Item 19
Aurelio's Is Pizza does not make an Item 19 financial performance representation in their FDD. This means they do not disclose revenue, profit, or earnings data for franchised locations. Before investing, ask the franchisor directly for franchisee contact information so you can speak with existing owners about their actual financial performance.
Aurelio's Is Pizza does not include an Item 19 financial performance representation in their FDD. Contact information for current and former franchisees is listed in Item 20 of the FDD.
Aurelio's Is Pizza Litigation & Risk Flags
Clean Litigation RecordAurelio's Is Pizza has no pending litigation actions listed in their FDD. There is also no bankruptcy history disclosed.
Litigation and bankruptcy data is sourced from Items 3 and 4 of the FDD. Always verify current status directly from the most recent FDD.
Aurelio's Is Pizza System Growth
Total Units
33
Franchised
31
Company-Owned
2
Aurelio's Is Pizza currently operates 31 franchised locations and 2 company-owned units. Unit count data is sourced from Item 20 of the FDD.
Unit History (Item 20)
| Year | Opened | Closed | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 0 | 1 | 36 |
| 2024 | 0 | 2 | 34 |
| 2025 | 0 | 1 | 33 |
Transfers: 2 | Closures: 4
State Registrations
Registered in 4 states: IL, IN, MI, WI
Aurelio's Is Pizza Franchise — FAQ
The total investment to open a Aurelio's Is Pizza franchise ranges from $497,904 to $1,502,939, per their Franchise Disclosure Document. This includes the initial franchise fee of $49,000. The investment covers build-out, inventory, equipment, signage, working capital, and other startup costs.
Aurelio's Is Pizza charges a royalty fee of 5% of total gross sales of gross sales, plus a 2% of total gross sales (Advertising Fund) plus 1% of total gross sales (Local Advertising) contribution to the marketing/advertising fund. These fees are paid on an ongoing basis.
You can download the Aurelio's Is Pizza Franchise Disclosure Document free on this page. The FDD is a public document filed with state franchise registries. Always also request the current FDD directly from Aurelio's Is Pizza to ensure you have the most up-to-date version.
Aurelio's Is Pizza does not provide an Item 19 financial performance representation in their FDD, which means they do not disclose franchisee revenue or earnings data. Prospective investors should contact existing franchisees directly (listed in Item 20 of the FDD) to gather real-world financial performance information.
Aurelio's Is Pizza has been franchising since 1979. The FDD shows an investment range of $497,904-$1,502,939, a 5% of total gross sales royalty, and no Item 19 earnings disclosure. There is no pending litigation. Review the full FDD and contact current franchisees listed in Item 20 before making any investment decision.
The franchise fee is $49,000 and the total investment ranges from $497,904 to $1,502,939 depending on location size and market. Contact the franchisor directly for current net worth and liquid capital requirements, territory availability, and application details.
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Data Source & Disclaimer: This website is for informational purposes only. It is not an offer to sell or buy a franchise. This profile is based on publicly available FDD data sourced from state franchise registry filings. All information is for research purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or investment advice. Data may be outdated or contain errors. Always obtain the current FDD directly from Aurelio's Is Pizza and consult a qualified franchise attorney before making any investment decision. FranchiseOverview.com is operated by Franchising Compliance, LLC and is not affiliated with Aurelio's Is Pizza or any of its subsidiaries. To report an inaccuracy: info@franchiseoverview.com