POPULAR RUSSO’S NEW YORK PIZZERIA LOOKING TO EXPAND TO ARIZONA

November 12, 2018

Pizzeria Franchise Plans Expansion of 15 New Restaurants with Special Incentive

HOUSTON  – Russo’s New York Pizzeria, the nation’s only chef-driven New York-style, Italian restaurant and pizzeria franchise concept, is looking to bring its upscale-casual dining concept to Arizona’s Phoenix, Tempe, Chandler, Mesa and North Scottsdale markets. The well-known pizza brand recently made the Top 200+ Franchise list by  Franchise Times.

Its new, fast-casual, pizza and pasta-focused concept offers a fresh approach to classic Italian dining. Russo’s will also offer a special incentive for area developers who develop 3 or more stores: Owners will receive a royalty reduction to 3% in the first year on the first location to be developed.

Chef Anthony Russo, the creative culinary mind, founder and CEO of the chef-driven concept, announced the franchise brand’s “Next Generation Pizza & Italian” restaurant model –ideal for on-the-go diners looking for authentic Italian cuisine at shopping malls, strip centers and airports.

According to Restaurant News, convenience, value and online ordering and delivery are growing consumer trends.

The new concept has a smaller footprint (1,200-1,800 square feet). The Russo’s Next Generation Pizza and Italian restaurant model features an open-kitchen layout engineered to provide convenience to diners eating in, taking to go or for delivery. The family-centered restaurant surrounds diners with warm, inviting décor to enjoy heart-healthy menu items made fresh without preservatives, additives or trans fats. Beyond the brand’s specialty traditional crust and gluten-free pizzas, menu items include fresh salads, soups and made-from-scratch sauces and pastas. Authentic Italian cannoli, fresh-baked, Italian flatbread sandwiches and, of course, hand-tossed pizzas are just some of the distinctive menu items.

“We’ve been leading the pizza and pasta scene in all of our markets for more than 32 years because we’re always bringing fresh ideas to the table. This new format meets the customer demand for fresh, quality cuisine for pick-up on the go or delivered,” said Russo, who earned his chef distinction at 18 years old and honed his expert culinary skills working in his parents fine Italian restaurant before opening his own pizzeria.

By strategically placing restaurants in high-traffic retail areas, Russo’s offers fans easier access to its beloved New York-style pizza and traditional, Italian cuisines. Russo’s latest restaurant model is representative of a larger franchise growth strategy to expand the brands’ international footprint after successfully launching more than 48 locations worldwide with an additional 15 planned for the Arizona market.

Adding to the appeal of the opportunity, the average food and hourly labor costs are 20.7% and 25.2% respectively, with an impressive average net cash flow of 18.2%.

Initial investment starts at $454,350.

Signature new menu items and authentic brick oven pizzas include the following:

 

  • Cauliflower Fritti  – Fresh cauliflower, lightly fried with Italian seasoning, served with Russo’s pomodoro sauce
  • Russo’s Lasagna  – Fresh pasta layered with braised beef, Italian cheeses and Russo’s Chianti-braised meat sauce
  • Pasta di Mare  – Sautéed shrimp, clams, mussels and calamari, swirled in a spicy Pinot Grigio marinara sauce, served over freshly made spaghetti
  • Pizza Villagio  – Grilled chicken, Portabella mushrooms, arugula, mozzarella, Kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes, Gorgonzola cheese and Sicilian extra virgin olive oil garlic sauce
  • Prosciutto & Fig Pizza  – Prosciutto di Parma, arugula, basil, fig spread, Sicilian extra virgin olive oil, mozzarella and balsamic glaze

Lunch menu offerings range from $8 – $10 and dinner offerings range from $15 – $25.

As Russo’s continues to bring its renovated design into new markets, the brand is awarding franchise opportunities to qualified individuals who share a passion for fresh, quality food. To learn more about Russo’s franchise development opportunities and the Next Generation Pizza and Italian restaurant model, visit  www.nypizzeria.com/franchise.

About Russo’s Restaurants

Russo’s Restaurants is a 48-location national and international franchisor of the fast casual and casual dining brands Russo’s New York Pizzeria and Russo’s Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen. Based in Houston, Russo’s Restaurants is composed of a mix of corporate and franchised locations across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, Florida and Hawaii. Russo’s has entered international markets as well, with locations in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Chef Anthony Russo has created his concepts from years of applying his unique, family recipes featuring New York-style pizza, along with a broad variety of handcrafted pasta creations, calzones, salads, sandwiches, soups and desserts, reflecting his commitment to his New York roots where food and family come first.

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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