Two Chicago restaurant brands, Buona and The Original Rainbow Cone, have unveiled plans to open their latest dual location in Valparaiso, Ind. The new combo shop, which will also feature a drive-thru and dual-lane options, is set to open April 12.
Buona was founded in 1981 by Joe and Peggy Buonavolanto, who dreamed of bringing Chicago flavors and opportunity to their family and surrounding communities. The company has since expanded to 26 restaurant locations in the Chicago area and Northwest Indiana. Rainbow Cone was created in 1926 by “Grandpa Joe” Sapp, who was never satisfied with just one ice cream flavor and stacked five flavors on a single cone instead.It has eight locations in and around Chicago.
The two Windy City icons joined together in 2022 to begin bringing dual-concept stores to Chicago and other regions around the country.
“We’ve built a proven, scalable approach to expanding Buona and Rainbow Cone to new areas throughout America, with industry-leading innovation, modern design and the highest quality of classic Chicago flavors,” Joe Buonavolanto, a third-generation Buona family member and VP of Franchise Operations at the company.