Berwyn-based Buona celebrates 35 years in business

BERWYN – Owning and operating an independent family restaurant company for 35 years is no small feat, and Joe Buonavolanto Jr. couldn't be prouder of his family's Berwyn-based chain, Buona, for achieving this important milestone.

“How many family-owned restaurants have been around for 35 years?” said Buonavolanto Jr., 52. “The third generation of the family is still working together to grow the business. You don’t see that too much anymore. Thirty-five years is pretty significant for us.”

To celebrate the company’s success, all 16 Chicago-area locations will roll back the prices of the restaurant’s signature Italian beef sandwich to its original cost on National Beef Day in May. Buonavolanto Jr. said he’s excited to do something special for the customers.

“We value our customers, and we don’t take them for granted,” he said. “We appreciate their support and loyalty throughout the years. If we’re able to offer an incentive for them, we’re happy to do it.”

While Buona is best known for its Italian beef sandwiches, the restaurant has an extensive menu that includes salads, burgers and pizza.

“Our beef sandwiches are all-natural, no preservatives and no additives and is a family recipe we’ve had for generations,” Buonavolanto explained. “In 1996, we expanded the menu, so we now have something for everyone in the family. And everything on the menu is made from a family recipe. The quality is not something you find in most fast-casual restaurants. We’re a step above.”

The Buonavolanto family opened the doors to the first Buona Beef restaurant in 1981 at Oak Park Avenue and Roosevelt Road in Berwyn. Joe Buonavolanto Sr. bought the restaurant so he and his four sons could run a business together. The first location was just down the street from the family’s home.

Buonavolanto Jr. said his father took out a $10,000 mortgage on their Berwyn home to open the restaurant, which is still one of the company’s most successful locations.

“It was a good fit because we wanted to work together, and meals are an important part of our lives,” Buonavolanto Jr. said. “And we have three generations of family members here. We’re the largest Italian beef restaurant company that’s family owned in the country.”

Buona, which employs about 1,000 people, began its catering business two years after opening the first restaurant and opened its second location in 1989 in Oak Park. In 2016, the company will open restaurants in Algonquin, Frankfort and Chicago's Beverly neighborhood.

Berwyn Mayor Robert Lovero has known the Buonavolanto family since childhood. He said Buona, which still has its general offices and catering kitchen in Berwyn, is an important part of the city.

“It’s a great success story for the whole family, and I applaud them for their 35th anniversary,” Lovero said. “Buona Beef has always contributed to the city of Berwyn however they possibly can. I’m glad they stayed with us.”

Besides providing the Chicago area with Italian beef, the company is very active in the communities it serves. Buonavolanto said Buona often hosts benefit nights for area nonprofit groups and “strongly” supports the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. He believes the company’s community support and strong relationships with its customers and employees are key to the restaurant group’s continued success.

“We have employees who’ve been with us for 20 or more years, and that shows we care about our people and are in it for the long term,” Buonavolanto said. “We don’t take anything for granted and enjoy giving back and supporting causes we believe in. We’re humbled by our success and are very thankful for our guests and our employees.”