Russo’s New York Pizzeria Rolls Out “Next Generation Pizza & Italian” Restaurant Design

March 5, 2018

The time is now to grab your very own slice of the $45 billion pizza industry. According to  PMQ  , both the US and worldwide pizza markets have grown from 2016 to 2017, with even more growth projected in 2018. Even better, the  study  found that average unit sales are on the rise as well, making it a great time to invest in a pizza franchise such as Russo’s.

You know and love our fast-casual concept, Russo’s New York Pizzeria, and our more upscale, full-service model, Russo’s Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen. Now, with the dawn of a new year comes a brand-new Russo’s to nourish your body and soul – the Next Generation Pizza & Italian concept.

Next Generation Pizza & Italian is shaking up the restaurant franchise industry with a new, fast-casual, pizza and pasta-focused concept offering a fresh approach to classic Italian dining.

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

Beyond consumer convenience, Russo’s Next Generation Pizza & Italian restaurant model is leading the fast casual Italian dining category by creating a business model that is meeting customer demand:

  • A smaller footprint (1,200-4,000 sq. ft.)
  • A lower barrier to entry for entrepreneurs entering the restaurant franchise business with an initial investment less than $500,000 in select markets
  • A focus on fresh ingredients, reducing additional supply costs for preservatives and packaging, and also meeting consumers’ demand for high quality food
  • Online ordering and free delivery options for added customer value
  • Average food costs and labor costs are 21.8% and 25.4% respectively*
  • Item 19 financials put net income at an average of 17.4%*
  • Average sales volume per unit is $1,020,383 million*

“This new format meets the customer demand for fresh, quality cuisine for pick-up, on the go, or delivered,” said Russo, who has 40 years of culinary expertise that is reflected in the fresh, homemade Italian cuisine served in each of his restaurants using family recipes since 1978. “Our success starts with the food. We serve only high-quality ingredients. Our motto is, ‘if it’s not fresh, don’t serve it,’ and we live by that – our customers have come to expect it from us. A few of our house specialties include freshly made fettuccini Alfredo, homemade gnocchi, handmade mozzarella cheese, lasagna, eggplant parmesan, and of course, gourmet New York-style pizzas.”

Chef Anthony puts an emphasis on gluten-free pizza, pasta and other dishes, which thrills an often-underserved population with serious gluten allergies. Prior to adding gluten-free items to the menus in each of his restaurant franchises, he spent nearly two years developing a gluten-free pizza crust recipe that doesn’t skimp in flavor, texture or quality.

Chef Anthony Russo helms an acclaimed restaurant group which was ranked No. 25 Top Food Franchise by  Entrepreneur Magazine i  n 2017.

The media has shown great interest in the new Russo’s Next Generation Pizza & Italian concept as well – it’s clear that the word is getting out about the pizza franchise’s latest foray into offering even more of the brand’s highly regarded regular and gluten free pizza to customers in new markets across the world.

Coverage has already run in pizza publications and restaurant websites that tell the story of the Italian restaurant franchise’s ascent to the top of its class.

Fans of the pizza franchise can read about Russo’s Next Generation Pizza & Italian concept in  Fast Casual  , one of the most prominent online and print publications for those interested in restaurant franchise news. An article ran that describes the new model’s tech specs, including a great quote from Chef Anthony that hits home the powerhouse that is Russo’s Restaurants.

Additionally, a story ran on  Pizza Marketplace  , a popular news site for pizza franchise and pizza catering trends, which further solidified Russo’s Next Generation Pizza & Italian as one of the frontrunners in the on-the-go Italian restaurant franchise industry.

Russo’s Next Generation Pizza & Italian is just one of three great Russo’s Restaurants concepts that our franchisees can take advantage of adding to their portfolios – several of our franchisees are multi-unit owners who have found great success as owners of a pizza franchise.

“The Russo’s team goes above and beyond in terms of site selection, restaurant design and construction to make sure that each restaurant is up and running as quickly as possible,” said Guillermo Medellin, a Russo’s multi-unit owner of three locations in the Houston area. “The training is excellent and has taught me a lot about what it means to lead several teams.”

Medellin’s passion is working with people at each of his Russo’s locations to watch them grow as professionals.

“My first priority each day is to visit all three locations. I talk with the managers to see what they need in order to achieve the goals we’ve set,” he said. “We identify areas of growth and improvement, and together, we feel our best when our customers are served well.”

The pizza industry is booming and the opportunity to own a Russo’s Next Generation Pizza & Italian means that motivated individuals can grab their own slice of a $44 billion industry. To learn more about Russo’s franchise development opportunities and the Next Generation Pizza & Italian restaurant model, visit  www.russosfranchise.com.

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Why Russo’s Is a Healthier Pizza Chain and Italian Restaurant Choice

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.

Russo’s Quietly Opens Anthony’s New York Italian, an Elevated Houston Dining Experience

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/

Russo’s NY Pizzeria Calzones Earn Attention for Big Flavor and Classic Italian Comfort

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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