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Russo's franchise video

$1.164M*Top 50% Average Net Sales*

Own a Russo's New York Pizzeria Franchise

Own a chef-driven New York-style pizza and Italian restaurant franchise. Review the investment, training, support, and available U.S. or international markets, then request the franchise kit and next steps.

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  • Founder-led franchise system since 1999
  • Russo's New York Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen full-service franchise concept
  • U.S., multi-unit, and international opportunities
  • Current U.S. total investment range: $395,000-$1,490,000
Step 1 of 2

Check Your Market Availability

Answer four quick questions. Next, enter your contact information to receive the Russo's franchise kit and next steps.

By continuing, you acknowledge that Russo's may use the information provided to evaluate your franchise inquiry. Final contact consent will be provided on the next step.

Call Franchise Development

Qualified candidates can expect a franchise development follow-up within 1 business day.

U.S. + GlobalGrowing Restaurant FootprintDomestic and international development
$1.164M*Top 50% Average Net Sales*U.S. franchised stores, fiscal year 2025
1999Franchising SinceFounder-led franchise system
$250KLiquid Capital RequirementQualified candidate requirement

*Based on Item 19 of the Russo's New York Pizzeria Franchise Disclosure Document for fiscal year 2025. The top 50% of U.S. franchised stores averaged $1,164,000 in Net Sales. Individual results may vary. See FDD for complete details.

Chef Anthony Russo, founder of Russo's New York Pizzeria

Published by Russo's Franchise DevelopmentFranchise information reviewed by Chef Anthony Russo, Founder and Chef. Financial information references the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. Last reviewed September 1, 2026.

Russo's premium New York-style pizza
Russo’s Franchise

Costs & Fees

Liquid Capital Required
$250,000
Net Worth Required
$550,000
Franchise Fee
$35,000
Total Investment
$395,000 – $1,490,000

U.S. franchise figures. Total investment includes the franchise fee and varies by site and restaurant plan. Review the current Franchise Disclosure Document for the complete investment table, fees, assumptions, and terms.

View Concept & Investment
Real Owners. Real Stories.

Hear Directly From Russo's Franchisees

Watch Russo's franchise owners share their experiences with training, opening support, restaurant operations, international development, and growing within the Russo's franchise system.

Waruna shares his Qatar Russo's franchisee experienceQatar Franchisee StoryWaruna — Franchisee, Qatar
Jaime G. shares his Russo's franchisee experienceJaime G.'s StoryJaime G. — Franchisee
Azim K. shares his Russo's franchisee experienceAzim K.'s StoryAzim K. — Franchisee
Guillermo Medellin shares his multi-unit Russo's franchisee experienceGuillermo's Growth StoryGuillermo Medellin — Multi-Unit Franchisee
Randy M. shares his Russo's franchisee experienceRandy M.'s StoryRandy M. — Franchisee

Tempe: Kristina and Christian Alvarez

The September 2026 opening announcement introduces the local franchisees behind Russo's second Arizona restaurant. They chose the concept for its food, quality ingredients, and scratch-made recipes, with the goal of bringing a product they were proud of to their community.

Read the Tempe opening and owner story

Mesa: From Russo's Guests to Franchisees

Russo's 2023 Mesa announcement introduced Kevin Barth and Phuong Thai as first-time franchise entrepreneurs and longtime guests. Their decision emphasized the food, service, and personal connection with Chef Anthony Russo.

Explore the Mesa restaurant and franchise guide
I came from corporate America. The Russo's team helped me understand the business, the training, and the opening process. We were ready to move forward with confidence. Jeff Lewis — Russo's Northeast, Houston, TX
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Why Russo's

Italian Roots. New York Soul.

A chef-founded pizza and Italian restaurant franchise shaped by family recipes, fresh ingredients, and the pleasure of sharing a meal.

Chef Anthony Russo presenting a New York-style pizza in his restaurant
Meet the FounderChef Anthony Russo
About Chef Russo

A Life in the Kitchen

The son of first-generation Italian immigrants, Chef Anthony Russo grew up in a New Jersey home where the kitchen was the center of family life.

Cooking, baking, and ingredients from the family garden connected Anthony to the traditions of Grandpa and Nonna Russo in Avellino, Italy. By age 12, he was learning family recipes from relatives visiting from Naples and Sicily. Pizza and calzones became his passion.

When the family moved to Galveston, Texas, in 1978, his father's Italian restaurant became a second home. Anthony went on to develop his craft in America and Italy, opening Anthony's Pizzeria in Clear Lake in 1990 and introducing Russo's New York Pizzeria in 1992.

Today, that same respect for food and hospitality connects Russo's restaurants across U.S. and international markets.

Explore Chef Russo's story
It's All About the Food

Family Recipes. Real Ingredients.

Our family recipes reach back more than 100 years. Fresh pizza dough, the right flour for a true New York-style crust, traditional sauce made with California-grown tomatoes, and 100% mozzarella from a Wisconsin dairy farm bring that heritage to every pizza.

In our kitchens, we prepare pesto and marinara, hand-crush tomatoes, chop vegetables, roll Italian meatballs, and simmer minestrone with fresh garlic. From pizza and pasta to salads and Italian specialties, the menu reflects the care of a chef-led kitchen.

A historic Russo family gathering around the dinner table
Good food has always brought our family together.
Proud of Our Italian Heritage

The Joys of the Table

In traditional Italian families, some of life's greatest joys happen around the table: good conversation, beautiful food, and time with the people you love. Russo's brings that feeling to every meal.

“If it isn't fresh,
don't serve it.”

The Russo family standard

Our recipes, thin-crust pizzas, and ingredients sourced from dairy farmers, tomato growers, and olive oil producers carry that promise forward. Homemade sauces, salad dressings, pizza dough, and fresh pasta keep our Italian roots at the center of the dining experience.

  1. 1962

    Anthony's parents immigrate from Italy.

  2. 1978

    The Russo family opens its first restaurant.

  3. 1990

    Anthony's Pizzeria opens in Clear Lake, Texas.

  4. 1992

    The New York Pizzeria concept is introduced.

  5. 2008

    Chef Russo launches his Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen concept.

More Ways to Serve Your Market

4 Revenue Centers

One Italian kitchen. Four ways to reach your guests. Russo's brings dine-in, delivery, takeout, and catering together in one restaurant concept.

Sit-Down Dining

Fresh, made-to-order pizza, pasta, and salads bring guests together in a welcoming restaurant with the feel of a traditional New York pizzeria.

Delivery

Serve guests at home or at work with online and phone ordering. A full Italian menu gives customers choices beyond pizza for their next meal.

Takeout

Give busy guests the convenience of picking up freshly prepared favorites, from a quick lunch to a complete Italian dinner for the family.

Catering

Bring Italian specialties to corporate lunches, private celebrations, and events large and small, with menus and buffet options tailored to the occasion.

Our Upscale-Casual Franchise Concept

A Neighborhood Pizzeria.
A Full Italian Kitchen.

Inspired by the Italian neighborhoods that helped shape New York's food culture, Russo's pairs a familiar pizzeria atmosphere with food made from scratch and carefully selected ingredients.

The menu welcomes a lunch guest on the go as readily as a family settling in for dinner. New York-style pizza, appetizers, salads, pasta, and Italian specialties support a range of occasions, with dine-in hospitality, takeout, delivery, and catering.

From established neighborhoods and lifestyle centers to select non-traditional settings such as hotels, airports, and malls, the restaurant plan is evaluated for the market and the needs of its guests.

U.S. Investment Starting At
$395,000
Guest Experience
Fresh food. Italian hospitality.

Investment and restaurant size vary by site and format. Review the current Franchise Disclosure Document for complete costs and terms.

Request Franchise Information Explore Costs & Fees
Fresh pizza and salad from Russo's Italian kitchen
New York Pizzeria& Italian Kitchen
The Restaurant Concept

Russo's New York Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen Franchise Concept

Russo's is a premium full-service restaurant concept with New York-style pizza, fresh pasta, and chef-driven recipes. The model supports dine-in hospitality, takeout, delivery, catering, and local menu planning.

Full-Service Restaurant

Russo's New York Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen (Full Service)

Families dining inside a Russo's New York Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen
Fresh pasta entree served at Russo's
Russo's pizza ovens and open kitchen inside a full-service restaurant

The full Russo's dining experience with New York-style pizza, a complete Italian kitchen, dine-in, takeout, delivery, catering, and family dining.

Ideal Size1,800–3,500+ sq. ft.
Investment$395,000–$1,490,000*
Best ForFamily dining, suburban markets, lifestyle centers, corporate catering, and premium restaurant locations.

*Investment varies by site, market, size, buildout, and restaurant plan. See FDD Item 7 for complete investment details.

Multi-Unit Pizza and Restaurant Franchise Opportunities

Russo's New York Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen is built for qualified candidates interested in single-unit ownership, multi-unit franchise development, area development, or international expansion.

  • Full-service Italian Kitchen restaurant model
  • Priority growth markets
  • Pizza + New York Italian kitchen menu depth
  • Catering and corporate ordering potential
  • Training and opening support
  • Brand standards and operating systems
  • Item 19 financial performance information
  • U.S. and international opportunities
What It Takes

Pizza Franchise Cost and Investment Requirements

A Russo's pizza franchise is a meaningful restaurant franchise investment built around premium food, proven systems, training, opening support, and multiple revenue streams. Total investment varies based on restaurant plan, real estate, market, construction, equipment, and opening costs.

What it Takes to Become a Franchisee

Restaurant ConceptTotal Investment Range
Russo's New York Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen (Full Service)$395,000 - $1,490,000
$250K
Liquid Capital Requirement
$550K
Net Worth Requirement
$35,000
Initial Franchise Fee
See the current FDD for applicable fees and terms.
650+
Preferred Credit Score for Financing
Quick Investment Fit

Qualified candidates typically bring capital, market clarity, and a 12-month action window.

  • $250K liquid capital requirement
  • $550K net worth requirement
  • Target market identified
  • Ready for an intro call

What Total Investment Covers

  • Real estate buildout, equipment, and FF&E
  • Initial inventory and opening food order
  • Franchisee training program
  • Grand opening marketing and local launch support
  • Working capital reserves
  • Initial franchise fee
  • Technology and opening systems
  • Vendor setup and operational support
Third-Party Franchise Financing Resources Equipment Financing Resources Veteran Franchise Incentives Available Halal Pizza Franchise Program

*Financing approval is subject to lender review.

Check Territory Availability

*Based on Item 19 of the Russo's New York Pizzeria Franchise Disclosure Document for fiscal year 2025. The top 50% of U.S. franchised stores averaged $1,164,000 in Net Sales. Individual results may vary. See FDD for complete details.

From Inquiry to Grand Opening

6 Steps to Becoming a Russo's Pizza Franchise Owner

Move from your first inquiry to opening day with a clear process. Typical timelines may vary depending on site selection, permitting, construction, training, and local market conditions.

1

Introduction Call

Start with a 15 minute call. We answer your questions, review basic qualifications, and help you understand the Russo's franchise opportunity.

2

Candidate Profile

Complete your candidate profile so our team can review your goals, preferred market, capital plan, and restaurant franchise fit.

3

FDD Review

Review the FDD, territory, fees, financing path, and ownership model with our franchise leadership team.

4

Discovery Day

Visit Houston, tour Russo's locations, meet senior leadership, and see the operation behind the brand.

5

Franchise Agreement

Once both sides confirm the right fit, we move forward with the Franchise Agreement and next steps.

6

Buildout and Grand Opening

Our team supports site selection, buildout, training, vendor setup, marketing launch, and opening day.

Opening timelines vary by site selection, permitting, construction, restaurant plan, and local market conditions.

Support System Built for Success

Restaurant Franchise Training and Operational Support

When you become a Russo's franchisee, you get more than a brand name. You get training, opening support, operating systems, supplier guidance, and ongoing coaching from a restaurant team with decades of experience.

Site Selection

Our real estate team helps evaluate traffic, demographics, visibility, daypart demand, and local competition before lease signing.

Comprehensive Training Program

Receive hands-on training at our Houston flagship with ongoing virtual support. Program scope and requirements are described in the current Franchise Disclosure Document.

Recipes and Supply Chain

Use proprietary family recipes, pre-negotiated vendor relationships, and ingredient standards designed to protect consistency.

Marketing Launch Package

Launch with grand opening support, local marketing guidance, social templates, PR support, and community outreach tools.

Financing Assistance

Get introductions to franchise-friendly lenders and capital partners who understand restaurant franchise opportunities.

Ongoing Operations Support

Receive ongoing operational guidance and access to franchise support resources as described in the current Franchise Disclosure Document and franchise agreement.

Technology and Ordering Systems

Get support for POS setup, online ordering, delivery integrations, catering flow, reporting, and digital operations.

Russo's Franchise Overview

What Is the Russo's New York Pizzeria Franchise Opportunity?

Russo's New York Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen is a chef-founded, full-service pizza and Italian restaurant franchise. Founded by Chef Anthony Russo in Houston in 1992 and franchising since 1999, the concept combines New York-style pizza, a complete Italian kitchen, dine-in, takeout, delivery, catering, training, and U.S. and international development opportunities.

Qualified candidates can review the official Russo's franchise facts, verified pizza franchise cost and investment details, Italian restaurant franchise model, and U.S. franchise markets before speaking with Russo's Franchise Development.

Pizza Franchise Opportunity Guide

Learn how Russo's combines New York-style pizza, a full Italian kitchen, four sales channels, training, and development options.

Explore the pizza franchise
Pizza Franchise Cost Guide

Review the current U.S. investment range, financial qualifications, initial fee, ongoing fees, and due-diligence process.

Review franchise cost
Italian Restaurant Franchise Guide

See how Russo's Italian food franchise combines brick oven pizzas, pasta, Italian entrees, dine-in, takeout, delivery, and catering in a broader restaurant platform.

Explore the Italian restaurant franchise

Continue with Russo's official guides to franchise training and support, multi-unit pizza franchise development, 2025 Item 19 performance information, the comprehensive franchise FAQ, and the franchise investor resource hub.

U.S. and International Growth Markets

Pizza Franchise Opportunities Across Select U.S. and International Markets

Russo's New York Pizzeria is headquartered in Houston, Texas. The team provides franchise development, training, and operational support for qualified candidates exploring a pizza franchise. Candidates may pursue single-unit, multi-unit, area development, or international growth.

Russo's welcomes qualified pizza franchise inquiries across select U.S. and international markets. Every territory remains subject to current confirmation, candidate qualification, required disclosure, applicable law, and franchise development approval.

Operating or Inquiry Market Contact for Availability

Select any state to review its market guide or submit a state-specific inquiry. Use the arrow keys to move between states.

Russo's Restaurant Footprint

Current Russo's Restaurant Locations

Explore Russo's New York Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen restaurants currently listed in the official consumer location directory.

Find a Russo's Restaurant

Texas 26 locations

California, Arizona & Oklahoma 5 locations

U.S. Pizza Franchise Markets

Explore Franchise Opportunities Across Select U.S. Markets

Review featured state guides or use the complete market directory below. Every territory is subject to current confirmation, candidate qualification, required disclosure, and approval.

Explore U.S. Franchise Markets

U.S. Franchise Territory Directory

Review state guides or submit a state-specific inquiry. Market status can change and does not guarantee availability.

Territory availability is subject to review and approval by Russo's Franchise Development. Submission of an inquiry does not reserve or guarantee a territory. In states requiring franchise registration, Russo's will not offer or sell a franchise until applicable requirements are satisfied.

For opportunities outside the United States, review the international territory map.

Most Asked Questions

Pizza Franchise Opportunity FAQs

What pizza franchise concept does Russo's offer?

Russo's offers a premium New York Italian Kitchen franchise concept. It combines New York-style pizza, fresh pasta, Italian entrées, and chef-created recipes. Guests can order through dine-in, takeout, delivery, catering, and online ordering.

How much does it cost to open a Russo's pizza franchise?

The initial investment for Russo's New York Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen ranges from $395,000 to $1,490,000. The final amount depends on the site, market, size, construction, equipment, and buildout. See FDD Item 7 for complete investment details.

Is Russo's a premium New York Style pizza franchise?

Yes. Russo's is a chef-driven New York Style pizza franchise and Italian restaurant concept with fresh dough, fresh homemade pasta, high-quality ingredients, dine-in, takeout, delivery, catering, and full Italian Kitchen menu depth.

Does Russo's offer multi-unit franchise opportunities?

Yes. Russo's offers opportunities for qualified single-unit owners, multi-unit franchise operators, area developers, and international franchise candidates.

What were the average net sales of Russo's top 50% of U.S. franchised stores?

According to Item 19 of the Russo's New York Pizzeria Franchise Disclosure Document for fiscal year 2025, the top 50% of U.S. franchised stores averaged $1,164,000 in Net Sales. Based on fiscal year 2025, 2 of 3 franchised stores in this category, or 67%, met or exceeded this average. Individual results may vary. Some outlets have sold these amounts. There is no assurance you will sell as much. See the Franchise Disclosure Document for complete details.

What makes Russo's different from other pizza franchise opportunities?

Russo's combines New York-style pizza, a full Italian kitchen, catering, delivery, dine-in, takeout, online ordering, chef-created recipes, and premium full-service restaurant operations.

How should I compare the best pizza franchise opportunities?

When comparing pizza franchise opportunities, candidates should review Item 19 financial performance, total investment range, brand differentiation, training, support, territory status, and multi-unit growth potential. Russo's may appeal to candidates looking for a chef-created pizza and Italian restaurant franchise with multiple revenue streams and a full-service restaurant concept.

Do I need restaurant experience to own a Russo's franchise?

No. Russo's provides training and support for qualified candidates, including new restaurant owners and experienced operators.

How long does it take to open a Russo's franchise?

Timeline varies by site, lease, construction, permitting, market, restaurant size, and final buildout plan.

Do you offer international franchise opportunities?

Yes. Russo's offers international franchise opportunities for qualified candidates and development groups in select markets.

What happens after I request franchise information?

After you submit your request, our franchise development team will review your information, contact you to discuss your goals and qualifications, and provide next steps. Qualified candidates may receive the Franchise Disclosure Document, review territory status, and participate in a Discovery Day with the Russo's leadership team.

News

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Review Item 19 Performance Information →
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Why Full Italian Kitchen Depth Matters

How Russo's combines New York-style pizza, fresh pasta, dine-in hospitality, takeout, delivery, catering, and chef-driven restaurant operations.

Explore the Russo's Menu Platform →
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More Than Pizza: The Full Italian Kitchen Advantage

How a complete Italian menu and catering create more revenue streams than pizza-only franchise concepts.

Read Russo's Italian Kitchen Story →
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