People Skills is Secret Sauce for Success Says Russo’s Star Franchisee

February 18, 2018

Guillermo Medellin has expanded to three Houston locations over a few short years and credits winning pizza franchise recipe and staff for impressive growth

Guillermo Medellin knows how to translate customer service skills from one field to the other. He worked in the manufacturing industry in Mexico and has applied much of that know-how to the restaurant franchise he now is a thriving member of, Russo’s.

Medellin, a multi-unit Russo’s franchisee, owns three locations of the Italian restaurant franchise in the Houston area where he resides: Woodlands, Conroe and Spring. All three are built out in Russo’s signature New York Pizzeria  ®  style. This franchise model is suited for the lunch guest in a rush as it features fast and friendly counter service where a slice of pizza and salad can be ready in under seven minutes.

Russo’s award-winning pizza anchors the New York Pizzeria  ®  and is complemented by a mouthwatering selection of appetizers, salads and pasta dishes and beer and wine. The NY pizzeria model recreates the atmosphere of authentic Italian-style pizzerias where everything is made from scratch with hand-picked ingredients, a recipe that has proven to be a hit for Medellin in all three of his locations. While takeout and delivery are primary drivers for this franchise model, which Medellin has seen success with, customers can choose to dine in as well in a fast-casual environment.

Medellin has been with the Russo’s family since 2009 when he moved from Mexico. He started out by purchasing an existing location before building out two more in short order in 2014 and 2015. What about the Russo’s pizza franchise appealed to him? “The concept itself is excellent—fresh, New York-style, brick-oven pizza and original recipes are created with fresh and natural ingredients,” Medellin points out. From all indicators, the Houston-area customers can’t get enough. They appreciate that they can dine in a casual, pleasant New York pizzeria ambiance and the delicious food, made following chef Russo’s tried and tested recipes, keeps them coming back for more.

Medellin leveraged his experience in the manufacturing industry and successfully applied those skills to an Italian restaurant franchise. Being on call seven days a week comes with the territory of owning a restaurant franchise, Medellin says, but he is grateful to have great managers, who have made a world of difference. It’s one of the many things he enjoys about his job. “I love working with people and seeing them grow as professionals. Together, we feel our best when our customers give us positive feedback. We love serving our customers,” Medellin says.

It is that passion for customer service and people skills that has earned Medellin an impressive growth streak in the pizza franchise business and to win Russo’s Restaurants coveted Franchisee of the Year Award in 2017. The award is presented by participating franchisors and honors sales achievements, dedication to industry advocacy and community leadership. In accepting the award, Medellin said he was honored to have been recognized and that the award was a testament to the hard work that his team puts in each and every day at all three locations and to the strength of “the amazing people we have on board to help us to do so. I can’t wait to celebrate the award with my team,” Medellin added.

Chef Anthony Russo, the creative culinary genius behind the brand who also serves as its CEO, said the award recognized Medellin’s passion for the business. “He’s willing to put in hard work, learn and help others. And, while we have dozens of incredible franchisees in our network, Guillermo really set himself apart this year–I couldn’t think of someone more deserving of our ‘Franchise of the Year’ award.”

Medellin’s advice to potential franchisees looking for pizza franchise opportunities: “ Be sure that you understand the restaurant industry and the demands of a business of this kind. I have found that in a hospitality/customer service-oriented field, a good basic understanding of business management is key, and experience leading and motivating people are necessary for success.” He points out that he treats employees with respect. “We offer them competitive wages and give them ample opportunity for promotion,” Medellin adds.

That recipe, along with Russo’s NY pizzeria mouthwatering dishes and rotating restaurant specials, all topped with stellar customer service has helped Medellin achieve an impressive growth track. His expansion has mostly been self-funded although he does have a small group of private investors. Medellin hopes one day to have ten Russo’s locations open including one in Mexico City. Throughout, Medellin continues to stand by a simple business philosophy: Keep it simple and maintain a trusting environment. With the Russo’s pizza franchise, he is able to do just that.

As for what Medellin’s favorite dishes at Russo’s? It’s hard to pick, he admits. “But my top selections are the Spinach, Kale & Artichoke Pizza, Penne a la Vodka, Prosciutto Arugula Pizzoto, Eggplant Rollatini, Chicken and Kale Pesto Pasta and Tomato Basil Soup.”

May 28, 2026
Today’s guests are paying closer attention to what they eat. They still want pizza, pasta, and classic Italian food, but they also want better ingredients, fresh preparation, lighter choices, and meals that do not feel overly processed. That is why Russo’s New York Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen is becoming a stronger choice for guests searching for a healthier pizza chain, healthy pizza options, and fresh Italian food made with real ingredients. We operate in the United States and internationally, but the kitchen philosophy has stayed simple. Fresh dough, scratch made sauces, premium ingredients, family recipes, and made to order Italian food come first. Founded by Chef Anthony Russo, the brand was built on authentic New York style pizza and Italian cooking inspired by recipes passed through generations. Instead of relying on frozen shortcuts, Russo’s focuses on fresh daily prep, clean ingredient choices, and real flavor. A Healthier Pizza Chain Starts With Better Ingredients A healthier pizza does not mean removing everything people love about pizza. It starts with how the food is made. At Russo’s, the pizza starts with house made dough prepared fresh daily using premium all natural flour. The sauce is made in house. Fresh mozzarella, fresh garlic, herbs, vegetables, and extra virgin olive oil are used throughout the kitchen. That matters because many guests today are reading labels and asking better questions. They want to know what is in their food, how it is prepared, and whether the restaurant uses fresh ingredients or heavily processed shortcuts. Russo’s gives guests a better way to enjoy New York style pizza without losing the taste, comfort, or quality they expect. Fresh Pizza, Pasta, and Italian Food Made Daily Russo’s menu is built around fresh preparation. The kitchen uses scratch made marinara sauce, slow simmered meat sauce, house made dressings, fresh salads, premium beef, all natural chicken, seafood, and brick oven pizza made fresh to order. The menu also includes pasta dishes, chicken entrées, seafood pasta, salads, calzones, and Italian classics prepared with traditional cooking methods. This gives guests more than one way to enjoy a meal. They can choose a fresh pizza, a salad with protein, grilled salmon, chicken, seafood, pasta, or a lighter Italian entrée based on what fits their appetite. Healthier Pizza Options Without Losing Flavor For guests looking for healthy pizza options, Russo’s focuses on freshness, quality, and customization. Guests can enjoy hand stretched New York style pizza with fresh toppings, premium mozzarella, scratch made sauce, and brick oven baking. They can also choose gluten free options, lighter toppings, fresh vegetables, salads, or protein focused menu items when available by location. The goal is not to turn pizza into diet food. The goal is to serve pizza made with better ingredients and fewer shortcuts. That is what makes Russo’s different from many large chain pizza restaurants. Better Choices for GLP 1 and Wellness Focused Guests More guests are now thinking about portion control, protein intake, fresh vegetables, and balanced meals. This has become even more common as GLP 1 lifestyle habits and wellness focused dining continue to grow. Russo’s menu naturally gives guests more flexibility. A guest may want a smaller portion, a salad, grilled chicken, seafood, fresh vegetables, or a protein balanced Italian meal. Another guest may want authentic brick oven pizza made with fresh dough and real ingredients. Both guests can find something that works for them. That is why Russo’s can be positioned as a healthier pizza and Italian restaurant choice for modern diners who still want comfort food made better. Authentic Italian Food With Family Recipes Russo’s is not only a pizza restaurant. It is an Italian restaurant built around Chef Anthony Russo’s family recipes, fresh ingredients, and scratch cooking. The menu includes New York style pizza, fresh pasta, seafood dishes, chicken entrées, salads, calzones, and Italian comfort food made with care. Many of these recipes come from Italian family traditions. That gives the food a more personal story and helps guests understand why Russo’s focuses on fresh preparation instead of mass produced shortcuts. A Healthier Pizza and Italian Restaurant Choice Across the USA and Beyond Russo’s serves guests across the United States and internationally. Even with national and global operations, the brand continues to focus on fresh dough, made to order pizza, scratch made sauces, and authentic Italian recipes. For guests searching for the healthiest pizza choice, a healthy pizza chain, fresh Italian food, or a family friendly Italian restaurant, Russo’s offers a menu built around better ingredients and more flexible choices. Guests can dine in, order takeout, schedule pizza delivery, plan catering, enjoy lunch specials, or visit their nearest Russo’s location for fresh New York style pizza and Italian food. Fresh Choices Guests Can Order at Russo’s Russo’s menu gives guests several fresh and balanced options, including brick oven New York style pizza, fresh salads, grilled chicken dishes, seafood entrées, salmon, chicken Saltimbocca, burrata salads, pasta dishes, calzones, and classic Italian entrées. Guests can also customize many menu items based on appetite, preference, and lifestyle. This helps make Russo’s a strong choice for families, office lunches, group meals, takeout nights, and guests who want Italian food made with fresh ingredients. Find your nearest Russo’s New York Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen location and enjoy fresh New York style pizza, scratch made pasta, salads, seafood, and authentic Italian entrées made with better ingredients. Frequently Asked Questions Why is Russo’s considered a healthier pizza chain? Russo’s focuses on fresh ingredients, house made pizza dough, scratch made sauces, premium olive oil, fresh vegetables, and made to order Italian food instead of relying heavily on frozen or overly processed ingredients. Does Russo’s serve healthy pizza options? Yes. Guests can choose fresh vegetable toppings, lighter pizza options, salads, grilled chicken dishes, seafood entrées, gluten free options at select locations, and customizable menu items based on their preferences. What type of pizza does Russo’s serve? Russo’s is known for authentic New York style pizza baked in a brick oven using hand stretched dough, premium mozzarella, scratch made sauce, and fresh toppings. Is Russo’s only a pizza restaurant? No. Russo’s is also an Italian restaurant serving fresh pasta, seafood dishes, salads, calzones, chicken entrées, catering options, lunch specials, and family style Italian meals. Does Russo’s operate outside the United States? Yes. Russo’s New York Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen operates across the United States and internationally while continuing to focus on fresh ingredients, scratch cooking, and authentic Italian family recipes.
May 25, 2026
Russo’s NY Pizzeria has long been known in Houston for New York-style pizza, casual Italian favorites, and a welcoming dining experience. According to a CultureMap Houston article, the Russo name is now connected to a new restaurant concept called Anthony’s New York Italian, which quietly opened with a more refined approach to Italian dining. While Russo’s NY Pizzeria remains a go-to spot for pizza, pasta, calzones, and family meals, Anthony’s introduces a more elevated side of the brand. Anthony’s New York Italian appears to offer a more elegant and personal restaurant experience compared to the fast casual style Russo’s is best known for. Instead of focusing primarily on quick, casual New York-style pies, the new restaurant creates a setting better suited for date nights, special occasions, and guests looking for a more polished Italian dining atmosphere. The concept gives the Russo brand a chance to showcase a more upscale interpretation of New York Italian food while still staying connected to the recipes and hospitality that made Russo’s recognizable. For fans of Russo’s NY Pizzeria, the quiet opening of Anthony’s New York Italian is an exciting step forward. It shows how the brand continues to grow beyond its well-known pizzeria roots while still honoring classic Italian flavors. With a more elevated and elegant dining experience, Anthony’s New York Italian adds another layer to the Russo story and gives Houston diners a new way to enjoy the flavors of New York Italian cuisine.  Source: CultureMap Houston https://houston.culturemap.com/news/city-life/popular-stories-betelgeuse-betelgeuse-arrest/
May 25, 2026
Russo’s NY Pizzeria is getting attention for one of its most satisfying Italian favorites: the calzone. A recent Chowhound article highlighting impressive chain restaurant calzones points to the continued popularity of this classic folded pizza-style dish, and Russo’s NY Pizzeria is a natural fit for the conversation. Known for New York-style pizza, fresh ingredients, and hearty Italian menu options, Russo’s offers calzones that deliver the kind of comfort food experience guests expect from an authentic neighborhood pizzeria. A great calzone starts with the right balance of dough, cheese, fillings, and flavor. At Russo’s NY Pizzeria, calzones are made with the same Italian-inspired approach that has helped the brand become recognized for its pizza and pasta. Each calzone gives guests a warm, baked, handheld meal filled with rich cheese and savory ingredients, making it a great choice for lunch, dinner, takeout, or a casual family meal. For customers who love pizza but want something a little different, a calzone offers the perfect mix of crispy crust, melted cheese, and classic Italian flavor. As more diners search for flavorful alternatives to traditional pizza, Russo’s NY Pizzeria calzones continue to stand out as a filling and memorable menu option. Whether ordered on their own or paired with other Italian favorites, they reflect what Russo’s does best: serving approachable, satisfying New York-style Italian food with quality and consistency. For anyone craving a hearty calzone from a trusted pizzeria, Russo’s NY Pizzeria remains a delicious place to start. Source: Chowhound https://www.chowhound.com/2173521/impressive-chain-calzones/
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