Meet Our Family’s Signature Brands
United under our family’s vision, we proudly present our four iconic brands: Buona, setting the standard as the country’s largest Italian beef restaurant group and beef producer; The Original Rainbow Cone, known for its distinctive five-flavor ice cream cone; Beyond Catering, elevating events with impeccable full-service catering; and Authentic Brands of Chicago, ensuring excellence with our USDA-certified offerings. Each brand, a cornerstone of our family’s commitment, invites you to discover the flavors and stories that make Chicago’s culinary scene truly remarkable.
ABOUT US
The Buonavolanto Family
Four decades, three generations and several dozen restaurants ago, Joe and Peggy Buonavolanto opened the first Buona Beef restaurant in Berwyn, IL, which specialized in their authentic recipe for Italian Beef Sandwiches. The year was 1981, and the dream location was half a mile from the family’s home. Joe & Peggy made the hard decision to take out a $10,000 second mortgage on the house to start the business.
Their dream was to have their kids work side by side to create a business that could someday support their own families. The plan was simple, take a classic Chicago street food and elevate it with fresh ingredients, all-natural beef, a family recipe and a friendly atmosphere that could be enjoyed by all. Their 5 sons, Carlo, John, Joe Jr, Jimmy and Donny immediately took to the business and helped make the family dream come together.
The founding sons, Carlo, John, Joe Jr, Jimmy and Donny have been involved full-time since they were teenagers, working their way through every possible job in the Buona restaurants. From washing floors, to serving customers, they believe that hard work pays off. Through it all, the brothers have continued to be united in the Buona growth plans and vision. The family legacy doesn’t stop with the founders, Buona is made up of multiple 3rd generation Buonavolanto’s and hard-working dedicated employees who continue to serve Buona customers and surrounding communities. Today, as a result, Buona is the largest family-owned Italian Beef restaurant group and Italian Beef Producer in the country.
Newsroom
Rainbow Cone Opens Second Florida Location in Key West
KEY WEST, Fla. – The Original Rainbow Cone Ice Cream Shop (Rainbow Cone), Chicago’s favorite ice cream since 1926, is bringing its colorful slices of sweetness and nostalgia-inducing cones to Key West, Florida, with a grand opening celebration on Thursday, August...
Rainbow Cone Invites Dyer Residents to Treat Themselves with Latest Opening
DYER, Ind. – Northwest Indiana is about to get a whole lot sweeter, as The Original Rainbow Cone (Rainbow Cone), home of the famous, smile-sparking five-flavor cone, recently announced the opening of its newest standalone location in Dyer at 1387 Joliet Street, right...
Buona and The Original Rainbow Cone Ink Multi-Unit Deal in Dallas-Fort Worth Market
An authentic taste of Chicago is on its way to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex as Buona Companies announced that it has signed a multi-unit agreement with Mid-Continent Hospitality. Composed of experienced restaurateurs led by Zeenat Ladiwalla,...
Buona Companies to Break Into Wisconsin with Dual-Branded Concept
The Buona Companies announced the upcoming opening of a dual-branded concept in Pleasant Prairie. Marking a historic moment for the company as it enters Wisconsin for the first time, a grand opening celebration will be held on Monday, February 26. The Buona Companies...