Ask About Franchise Availability in Your Preferred Market
Share your preferred market, available capital, experience, and timeline. Russo's franchise development can then review your interest and outline next steps for qualified candidates.
- Your market is included with the inquiry
- Single-unit and multi-unit interest welcomed
- Domestic and international development paths
Pizza Franchise Cost and Restaurant Investment Requirements
Learn about Russo's full-service pizza and Italian restaurant franchise investment range, startup cost categories, candidate qualifications, and step-by-step ownership process.
Russo's vs. Other Franchise Brands
Compare the combined royalty and required advertising fees shown below.
| Franchise Brand | Ongoing Fee Structure | Combined Total |
|---|---|---|
| Russo's New York Pizzeria FranchiseChef-driven New York Italian restaurant | 6% royalty 0% required advertising fee | 6% |
| Mountain Mike's Pizza Franchise | 5% royalty 3% advertising | 8% |
| Papa John's Franchise | 5% royalty 6% advertising | 11% |
| Jersey Mike's Franchise | 6.5% royalty 5% advertising | 11.5% |
| Marco's Pizza Franchise | 5.5% royalty 7% advertising | 12.5% |
Illustrative Annual Fees at $1.5 Million in Sales
- Russo's New York Pizzeria Franchise$90,000
- Mountain Mike's Pizza Franchise$120,000
- Papa John's Franchise$165,000
- Jersey Mike's Franchise$172,500
- Marco's Pizza Franchise$187,500
At a combined 12.5%, ongoing royalty and advertising fees would total approximately $97,500 more per year than Russo's New York Pizzeria Franchise at $1.5 million in annual sales.
Chef-Driven Training. Competitive Ongoing Fees.
Russo's is a chef-driven New York Italian restaurant concept with a broad menu and extensive culinary training. Franchisees are trained in Russo's pizza dough, sauces, pasta dishes, Italian entrees, and family recipes.
Our goal has always been to give franchisees a strong restaurant platform while maintaining a competitive ongoing fee structure: 6% royalty and no mandatory national advertising fee.
Speak With Chef Russo
Talk with Chef Anthony Russo about opening your own Russo's franchise.
Call (832) 849-0724Competitor rates are provided for general comparison and may change. Review each brand's current Franchise Disclosure Document for complete and current fee information. Annual dollar amounts are mathematical illustrations based on $1.5 million in sales and are not projections of actual costs, sales, or returns.
A Detailed Look at the Russo's Franchise Investment Process
Becoming a Russo's franchisee gives you access to restaurant real estate guidance, site evaluation support, construction planning, modern restaurant design direction, proven training systems, operational standards, vendor relationships, and the experience of a chef-founded restaurant franchise team that understands what works in real markets.
Russo's also helps qualified candidates understand lending conversations, capital planning, restaurant planning, market fit, opening support, and the operating systems needed to launch with confidence. It is a restaurant launch package built around New York-style pizza, a full Italian kitchen, catering, delivery, and decades of restaurant experience.
- Real estate and site-selection guidance
- Restaurant design and construction coordination
- Training, recipes, operating systems, and opening support
- Vendor relationships, food standards, and menu execution
- Introductions to lending partners who may work with qualified candidates
Franchise Investment & Financial Snapshot
- Top 50% Average Net Sales*
- $1.164M*
- Liquid Capital Requirement
- $250K
- Net Worth Requirement
- $550K
- Preferred Credit Score for Financing
- 650+
- Initial Franchise Fee
- $35,000
- Total Investment Range
- $439,350 - $1,490,000
*Top 50% of U.S. franchised Russo's stores averaged $1,164,000 in Net Sales for fiscal year 2025 according to Item 19 of the FDD. Individual results may vary.
What it Costs to Open a Russo's Pizza Franchise
Each location is tailored to the market. Total initial investment varies based on site location, number of seats, design specifications, square footage, buildout, and restaurant plan.
| Item Expense | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Initial franchise fee | $35,000 | $35,000 |
| Business license, permits, utility deposits, etc. | $5,000 | $10,000 |
| Lease and other rental expenses | $15,000 | $75,000 |
| Architectural | $12,000 | $25,000 |
| Engineering | $4,000 | $10,000 |
| Furniture, fixtures, and equipment | $130,000 | $270,000 |
| Electronic cash register system | $19,000 | $40,000 |
| Signage | $5,000 | $40,000 |
| Initial training | $10,000 | $40,000 |
| Operating capital | $28,350 | $75,000 |
| Initial inventory | $10,000 | $30,000 |
| Insurance deposits/premiums | $5,000 | $20,000 |
| Grand opening advertisement | $10,000 | $25,000 |
| In-store opening training | $0 | $40,000 |
| Site evaluation expenses | $1,000 | $5,000 |
| Leasehold improvement | $150,000 | $750,000 |
| Total | $439,350 | $1,490,000 |
Source: Russo's current steps-to-ownership investment chart. See the Franchise Disclosure Document for complete details.
Candidate Requirements and Ownership Process
Submit Application
Share your goals, market interest, capital range, and contact information.
Evaluation
Review candidate fit, confidentiality, market goals, and development criteria.
FDD Review
Review fees, territory, investment, financial performance, and franchise terms.
Site Search
Evaluate locations, demographics, traffic, buildout, and lease terms.
Training
Complete restaurant training, recipe systems, vendor setup, and opening readiness.
Grand Opening
Launch with operational support, marketing tools, and continued coaching.
Ask About Franchise Availability in Your Preferred Market
Share your preferred market, available capital, experience, and timeline. Russo's franchise development can then review your interest and outline next steps for qualified candidates.
- Your market is included with the inquiry
- Single-unit and multi-unit interest welcomed
- Domestic and international development paths