I have a Stoeger 2000 and a Franchi AL-48. Both are nice guns. Certainly, Franchis, and Benellis in particular, have a certain panache and pride of ownership that doesn't come with the Stoeger. I can say though, that I bought the Stoeger because I couldn't tell any difference in the fit and finish of the Stoeger when compared to a Benelli M1 (except that he Benelli's bolt movement is incredibly smooth, almost glass-like). I think that the Stoeger 2000, which is imported from Turkey, is much nicer than the Stoeger double barrels I've seen imported from Brazil.
My AL-48 is a 20 gauge with a totally different operating system than that of the 2000. From the Franchis I've seen, their finish and overall quality are typically high quality across the board. I don't know how the new Franchi inertia gun breaks down, but I can't imagine it's any easier than with the 2000. The 2000 breaks down like a Benelli, but is, in my opinion, even better in one regard. Its recoil spring wraps around the magazine tube instead of being housed in the buttstock.
All of this said, if I were buying a new 12 gauge auto, I would probably buy the Benelli or Franchi for pride in the gun, and not because of any quality difference worth $300 or $1000.