Fresno's Me-N-Ed's Pizzeria Becomes 100% Employee-Owned Under ESOP

Milano Restaurants International completed a transfer of 100% of its stock into a newly established Employee Stock Ownership Plan, making Fresno-based Me‑N‑Ed’s Pizzeria and the company’s other brands fully employee-owned, company and advisor statements said Feb. 20, 2026. The Ferdinandi family executed the transfer, and AmbroseAdvisors served as Milano’s advisor on the transaction.

Employees were informed Thursday, the company said, and CEO John Ferdinandi and Chief Operating Officer Tom Ferdinandi, sons of founder Tom Ferdinandi Sr., will remain in their executive roles after the ownership change. John Ferdinandi framed the move as a practical change in how staff participate in the business, saying employees are trusted team members and the company wants them to know they “own and operate” their own business in a tangible way. Hanford Sentinel quoted him saying the transaction is “more than ownership; it’s about creating a culture where every team member feels invested in our shared future.”

Milano’s portfolio named in reporting includes Me‑N‑Ed’s Pizzeria, Me‑N‑Ed’s Victory Grill, Blast & Brew and Piazza del Pane; Hanford’s release added Me‑N‑Ed’s Coney Island to that roster. The Business Journal described Me‑N‑Ed’s as a Central Valley staple since 1958, while Hanford noted the company had operated and expanded for 65 years, a discrepancy that Milano or company records would need to reconcile for historical accuracy.

Reports describe the ESOP as a qualified retirement plan that will allocate ownership to eligible employees over time. Hanford’s release stated eligible employees will receive shares of company stock annually at no cost, allowing them to earn ownership over time and accumulate tax‑deferred retirement wealth. The Business Journal outlined typical ESOP mechanics: a sale to an ESOP trust, company financing of the purchase, loan repayment from company profits, and allocation of shares to individual employee accounts. TBJ also noted participants can sell vested shares at market value when they leave, receive cash at retirement, or roll proceeds into an Individual Retirement Account.

AmbroseAdvisors’ senior managing director Phillip Chou framed the transaction as aligned with shareholder goals and community impact, saying, “Milano shareholders’ vision was to secure a sustainable future for the company in a way that not only benefits its business stakeholders but also empowers the hardworking men and women who keep America running. Through employee ownership, they have created an opportunity for dedicated workers to build their future wealth, achieve financial security, and share in the success they help create. When implemented effectively, employee ownership strengthens businesses, rewards hard work, and uplifts entire communities.”

The initial disclosures did not include key financial details or workforce numbers: reporting did not provide the company valuation, purchase price, whether the ESOP was leveraged, lender names, the number of employees eligible, or specific vesting and allocation schedules. Milano and AmbroseAdvisors framed the move as a long‑term plan to secure the company’s future and deliver tax‑deferred retirement benefits to staff; John and Tom Ferdinandi will remain charged with operational leadership as those implementation details are finalized.