Il Panino relaunches its franchise offer and targets 100 outlets

Il Panino has restored its original name and relaunched its franchise offer with four formats and a target of 100 outlets within five years. The sandwich and coffee chain from Córdoba, Argentina, aims to drive that growth primarily through Urban, a street-front format focused on home delivery. Prospective franchisees should distinguish between formats, publication dates and what is included when reviewing the investment figures released.

A Córdoba brand returns to its roots

Founded in March 1990 at Córdoba Shopping, the company traded as Panino for years and has now reverted to Il Panino. The change accompanies a new phase of network development, according to information compiled by Franquisia in an article published on 5 November 2026.

Juan José Piñero, the brand’s manager and son of its founders, outlined the plan to Infonegocios in July. The offer combines different outlet types to support expansion towards a target of 100 units within five years. This is a company ambition, not a tally of completed openings or announced contracts.

Published reports put the network at between 23 and 24 outlets. Infonegocios reported 23 units: four company-owned — Patio Olmos, La Cañada and two in Mendoza — and 19 franchised. L’Express Franchise, meanwhile, cited 24 outlets, drawing on Punto a Punto figures published on 27 August.

Urban: the focus for growth beyond shopping centres

Il Panino’s offer comprises four formats: Express, Shopping, Urban and a traditional restaurant. The main addition in the relaunch is Urban, designed for street-front premises with a focus on home delivery.

Express is presented as a format without table seating, geared towards takeaway and delivery orders. Shopping maintains the brand’s presence in shopping centres, where it began. The other models offer prospective operators a choice between a street-front outlet and a traditional restaurant.

The formats are not grouped consistently across publications. While Infonegocios listed Urban separately from the traditional restaurant, L’Express Franchise combined Urban or Restó into a category covering premises of 100–150 square metres. The latter publication gave a floor area of 45–50 square metres for Shopping.

That distinction matters when comparing budgets: two offers with similar names may cover different things. Assessing a franchise opportunity means looking at both the advertised investment and the specific features of the premises.

Published investment figures: which amount applies to each model?

The figures reported by the media and attributed to the brand do not match in every case. The largest difference concerns Express: Infonegocios reported an investment of US$25,000 in July, while L’Express Franchise quoted a starting figure of US$45,000 in August.

For Shopping, Infonegocios reported US$70,000 for fit-out works, plus any key money charged by the shopping centre. L’Express Franchise quoted an investment starting at US$65,000. These figures are not directly comparable, as the first specifies one cost component and adds a further location-related charge.

For Urban, both publications quoted US$70,000, although L’Express presented this as a starting figure and grouped it with Restó. Infonegocios put the traditional restaurant format at US$100,000.

L’Express sourced its figures from the brand’s website, which also stated that no initial franchise fee is charged and that equipment and training are included in the package. The cited publications do not detail royalties. Before making a decision, prospective franchisees should therefore request an up-to-date proposal setting out what is included, what is excluded and any recurring charges. The absence of an initial franchise fee should not be taken to mean there are no other payments.

Mid-sized cities feature in the expansion plans

The planned growth is not limited to major cities. According to Infonegocios, the brand is targeting mid-sized cities such as Villa María, La Carlota and Laboulaye in Córdoba province, and Venado Tuerto in Santa Fe province.

L’Express Franchise reported that the chain operates in Córdoba, Mendoza, Neuquén, San Luis, San Juan, La Rioja and Buenos Aires. It also mentioned a master franchise under consideration for Tucumán and Salta — a possibility that should be distinguished from a signed agreement.

The same publication stated that Il Panino is seeking franchisees in the provinces where it already operates and plans to open at least two company-owned outlets in the near term. Its approach therefore combines expansion through franchise partners with new directly operated units.

Practical takeaway: anyone considering an Il Panino franchise should request a dated quotation for their chosen format and city, with a breakdown covering floor area, fit-out works, equipment and recurring payments. Published figures provide an initial reference point, not a definitive quotation.