Russo’s New York Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen

Classic New York Pizzeria and Upscale Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen Pizza Franchise Concepts Target UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Turkey, Africa and Egypt for Expansion.

HOUSTON — Chef Anthony Russo, the creative culinary mind, founder and CEO of chef-driven concepts Russo’s New York Pizzeria and Russo’s Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen, is attending the Gulfood Show AL Mustaqbal plaza HP-J14 Pavilion upon announcing a growth strategy to expand both brands’ international footprint across the Middle East, specifically targeting the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Turkey, Africa, and Egypt.

This bold growth phase is reflective of the brands’ ever-growing presence in the region, with locations already in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. the Russo’s New York Pizzeria already in the market. The brand plans to add 30 franchise locations to the Middle East region in the next five years.

As part of this effort, Chef Anthony Russo will be meeting with interested and qualified investors while at the Gulfood 2023 food show the event will be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre and runs February 20 – 24 booth location AL Mustaqbal Plaza HP – J14 Pavilion

Additionally, Chef Anthony Russo will be hosting a Discovery Day from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. February 25 at Nakheel Mall 447Q location. Prospective franchisees are welcome to sample Russo’s Italian cuisines and authentic, New York-style pizza while touring the restaurant’s old-world charm, modern design and innovative hospitality. Interested guests will need to RSVP for this event by emailing anthony@nypizzeria.com

“When it comes to increasing our global presence, expansion in the Middle East is quickly heating up,” said Russo, who has 40 years of culinary expertise featuring fresh, homemade Italian cuisine using family recipes since 1978. “We’ve seen incredible development in the UAE and Saudi Arabia thus far, but the demand for family-friendly, Italian dining continues to grow. Russo’s is dominating the classic pizza and Italian scene and we’re thrilled to award more international business teams an opportunity to be a part of this exciting franchise growth.”

Menu innovation has been at the heart of the Russo’s Restaurants brands for more than 32 years, blending generations of the Russo’s family Italian recipes. Through Chef Anthony’s handpicked ingredients and a commitment to research and development, the brands have continued to stay ahead of culinary trends. A prime example is the restaurants’ full line of gluten-free pizzas and pastas – a sincere response to the request for great-tasting, gluten-free menu selections from health-conscious families and thousands living with Celiac disease, worldwide. Also, since the company has gone international, local flavors of the Middle East can be found in many of the recipes, connecting the local culture to authentic New York style pizza and classic Italian cuisine.

Russo’s Restaurants offers a rare franchise opportunity for entrepreneurs interested in proven brands that are entirely chef driven. Beyond consumer convenience, Russo’s is leading the Italian dining category by creating a business model that offers:

• A smaller footprint (1,200-4,000 sq. ft.) for Delivery outlet to full service
• A low-cost entry into the restaurant business with an initial investment starting around $395,000 in select markets
• Average food costs and labor costs are 21.8% and 25.4% respectively*
• Average sales volume per unit is $1,1 million*

To learn more about Russo’s franchise development opportunities, visit
https://russosfranchise.com.

* These figures represent the average restaurant revenue of six (6) U.S. domestic Company-operated Russo’s New York Pizzeria locations of various designs and sizes for fiscal year ending December 31, 2021, along with average Food Costs and Net Income for the seven (7) U.S. domestic Company-operated Russo’s New York Pizzeria outlets only. Actual results could vary substantially from unit to unit and Franchisor cannot estimate the results of any franchise.

HOUSTON — Award-winning, Texas-based upscale casual brand Russo’s New York Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen has opened its fourth location in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on December 19, 2022. Located at Park Avenue Mall, its 2400-sq. ft., two-story Pizzeria serves Russo’s full Italian menu including New York style pizza and pasta. Since 1978, Russo’s Founder and CEO, Chef Anthony, has been serving his original family recipes from Naples and Sicily. He prides himself on utilizing fresh, seasonal ingredients. Of course, those ingredients can be found in his premium, hand-tossed New York-style pizzas, including a giant, signature pie measuring 28 inches known as the party pizza.

Our unique menu items are what sets us apart from the rest. The Russo family promise, “If it isn’t fresh, don’t serve it,” remains as true today as it first did in 1978. We follow the same process in every location, both domestic and international.

We don’t have a commissary, and we don’t buy premade sauce or premade dough balls. We follow our old family traditions, and the consumer can taste the difference. Our family recipes have not changed over our 60 year history. Those include our fresh handmade pizza dough, meat sauce, and marinara sauce. Our sauces are made with premium San Marzano Italian tomatoes, hand crushed and simmered for 6 hours. From our salad dressings to pesto sauce to lasagna to fresh baked Tuscany bread to our homemade gnocchi pasta, our menu items are what sets us apart from other pizza chains. We carefully select our ingredients and select the best premium items to make every dish a flavor to remember.

Our menu includes salads, burrata cheese made from fresh mozzarella, Italian soups, pastas, pizzas baked in brick oven, calzones, and desserts. We also have Halal and gluten free options.

Our new location just opened December 19, 2022, in Park Avenue Mall. The 2,300-sq. ft. space will seat 160 guests and includes an outdoor patio. The restaurant is located in a remarkable mixed-use district. It will join an array of premier global food and beverage concepts in addition to a world-class hotel, theme park, department store, and cinema, where Russo’s pizza options will also be spotlighted.

“We’re thrilled to grow our international footprint and showcase our elevated upscale casual dining experience in Saudi. It is an incredibly exciting global market that I have become very fond of,” said Russo. “We are honored to have the support of our franchisees.”

Russo’s parents immigrated from Italy, settling first in New Jersey then moving to the Houston, Texas area. Anthony launched Russo’s in 1992 and has since expanded the brand in partnership with 56 locations across the United States, as well as eight restaurants situated throughout Dubai, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.

We are continuing to seek out global franchise partners, specifically entrepreneurs interested in proven brands that are entirely chef-created and chef-driven. Several floorplan options provide flexible design and layout choices, spanning from pizza and delivery only to fast casual, full-service dining to full-service and elevated interiors.

HOUSTON — Award-winning, Texas-based fast casual brand Russo’s New York Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen has signed a five-unit franchise deal in Qatar, fulfilling a key geographic goal in the franchisor’s international expansion strategy. In partnership with the new franchisee, Russo’s Founder and CEO, Chef Anthony Russo, will introduce Qataris to a trove of original family recipes from Naples and Sicily, utilizing fresh, seasonal ingredients, as well as premium, hand-tossed New York-style pizzas, including a giant, signature pie measuring 71 centimeters.

Authentic Italian dishes range from gourmet pastas to calzones, and the menu also features salads, deli sandwiches, soups and desserts. Standouts include homemade lasagna, baked ziti, truffle mushroom pasta and a selection of gluten free pasta and Halal pizza options.

Set to open as soon as November of 2022 – just in time for the country’s FIFA World Cup hosting debut – the inaugural restaurant will be located at the remarkable Doha Oasis mixed-use district. It will join an array of premier global food and beverage concepts in addition to a world-class hotel, theme park, department store and Vox Cinema, where Russo’s pizza options will also be spotlighted.

“We’re thrilled to grow our international footprint and showcase our elevated fast casual dining experience in Qatar, an incredibly exciting global market that I have become very fond of,” said Russo. “We are honored to have the support of our new Qatari franchisee. And opening just ahead of the World Cup is the perfect opportunity to grow brand awareness among an influential, global audience.”

Russo, the son of first-generation Italian immigrants who initially emigrated to New Jersey before settling in the Houston, Texas area, launched Russo’s in 1992 and has since expanded the brand in partnership with 27 franchisees. There are currently more than 50 locations across the United States, as well as eight restaurants situated throughout Dubai and Saudi Arabia.

He is continuing to seek out global franchise partners – specifically entrepreneurs interested in proven brands that are entirely chef created and chef driven. Several floorplan options provide flexible design and layout choices, spanning from pizza and delivery only to fast casual, full-service dining and full-service with coal oven and elevated interiors.

Authentic Italian Pizza Concept to Open New Locations in Galveston and Spring, TX by End of 2021.

HOUSTON — Russo’s New York Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen, a popular Houston-based fast-casual pizza brand, has signed a new multi-unit franchise agreement that will increase Russo’s presence in Texas with new restaurants in Galveston, Bender’s Landing and Spring. The five-unit deal is signed with a local entrepreneurial couple with deep roots in restaurant franchising and are eager to make Russo’s their new family business.

Husband-and-wife team Randy and Ayesha McCoy will open the new Russo’s locations. Randy grew up in Galveston, TX and at age 13 worked his first job at the original Russo’s. Since then, he’s spent years working and managing in the restaurant industry, and also owned and operated an independent pizza shop in the state. Randy’s lifelong goal as an entrepreneur was to own an Italian restaurant in Texas, and he says that when he reached out to Russo’s Founder Anthony Russo to discuss franchising opportunities, it was a moment that his life, career, and goals came full circle.

“This is such an exciting milestone for me and my family because I’m fulfilling a lifelong dream of mine while also planting the seeds for my children’s future and many generations to come. The original Russo’s kitchen was where it all began for me, and that charm and authenticity I fell in love with hasn’t changed a bit. Joining the Russo’s family as a franchisee feels like a dream come true that’s been over 30 years in the making,” said Randy McCoy.

“I’m so excited to welcome Randy back to the Russo’s family and look forward to seeing him grow our brand so even more Texans can try our authentic Italian family recipes I grew up with,” said Chef Anthony Russo, Founder and CEO of Russo’s New York Pizzeria & Italian Restaurants. “In addition to their admirable passion for authentic Italian cuisine, the McCoy’s strong desire to make Russo’s a family business is precisely what Russo’s stands for. This is a special moment for me and the McCoy family because it’s the start of a new legacy that will be passed down for generations and an extension of what Russo’s is all about.”

In addition to the several new restaurants coming to Texas, Russo’s has signed a five-unit franchise agreement to bring restaurants to the Fresno area in California. The brand has also expanded internationally in the Middle East during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Russo’s is known for its New York-style pizza and authentic Italian family recipes. Their scratch Italian kitchen with 650-degree pizza ovens allows franchisees to make unique pizzas that use original recipes, fresh ingredients, and cost-effect measures to provide pizza flavors, unlike anything tasted before. Some fan favorites include Truffle Mushroom, Prosciutto & Burrata, and Prosciutto & Fig pizzas. Other menu items include Truffle Tortellini, Caprese Pasta, Chicken Piccata, Pappardelle Carbonara; as well as gourmet soups, salads, and desserts.

Russo’s restaurants are custom designed with an open kitchen concept, counter service, and limited employees for maximum revenue and lower labor costs. Russo’s lower-than-average labor costs kitchen concept can help franchisees manage the restaurant industry’s nationwide labor shortages, due to the pandemic, and the prospective increase in the minimum wage. According to Russo’s Franchise Financial Performance Average, the average unit volume of each Russo’s franchise location is $980,900; average food costs are 21%; average labor costs are 23%, and the average income is 19.2%. The average store investment ranges from $350,000– $895,000. Qualified candidates must have at least $200,000 in liquid capital. For more information, please visit https://www.russosfranchise.com/

Authentic Italian Pizza concept to Open in Fresno by Fall 2021.

HOUSTON — Russo’s New York Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen, a popular Houston-based fast-casual pizza brand, has signed a five-unit franchise agreement in Fresno California. The multi-unit deal is with a local entrepreneurial couple who fell in love with the food and decided to bring the pizza concept to their town.

The five restaurants will be owned and operated by husband-and-wife team Katharina and Don Haines. Don comes from an Italian family and Katharina spent most of her life in Europe, so it was important for them to invest in a brand with authentic Italian food. While living in Texas, the couple tried Russo’s and found that perfect slice of pizza.

“After trying Russo’s Pizza while living in Houston, it reminded me of the Italian pizza I would eat while growing up in New Jersey, something that is hard to find on the West Coast,” said Don. “You can’t find good authentic Italian pizza for delivery or take-out in Fresno and I’m confident by offering quality Italian food, Russo’s will soon become the go-to Italian restaurant in our area.”

The Haines recently moved back to California and saw a growing demand for authentic Italian cuisine in Fresno. Katharina spent many years working in event management and marketing, while Don spent more than 30 years in the powerplant business gathering over 25 years of management experience. Between both of their backgrounds in business, they say they’re excited about introducing a high quality fast-casual franchise brand like Russo’s in the state of California.

Russo’s is known for its New York-style pizza and authentic Italian family recipes. Their scratch Italian kitchen with 650-degree pizza ovens allows franchisees to make unique pizzas that use original recipes, fresh ingredients, and cost-effect measures to provide pizza flavors, unlike anything tasted before. Some fan favorites include Truffle Mushroom, Prosciutto & Burrata, and Prosciutto & Fig pizzas. Other menu items include Truffle Tortellini, Caprese Pasta, Chicken Piccata, Pappardelle Carbonara; as well as gourmet soups, salads, and desserts.

“I’m so excited to expand our brand into California and have more guests try the recipes that I grew up using with my family,” said Chef Anthony Russo, Founder and CEO of Russo’s. “The Haines’ are extremely passionate about authentic food and good service which will represent Russo’s well as we enter this new state.”

In addition to the new restaurants in California, Russo’s has signed a five-unit franchise agreement to bring restaurants to the Benders Landing area in North Houston and, and additional agreements to bring Russo’s to New Caney Bridgeland, Texas. The brand has also expanded internationally in the Middle East during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Russo’s restaurants are custom designed with an open kitchen concept, counter service, and limited employees for maximum revenue and lower labor costs. Russo’s lower-than-average labor costs kitchen concept can help franchisees manage the restaurant industry’s nationwide labor shortages, due to the pandemic, and the prospective increase in the minimum wage. According to Russo’s Franchise Financial Performance Average, the average unit volume of each Russo’s franchise location is $980,900; average food costs are 21%; average labor costs are 23%, and the average income is 19.2%. The average store investment ranges from $350,000– $895,000. Qualified candidates must have at least $200,000 in liquid capital. For more information, please visit https://www.russosfranchise.com/