A family dinner
Gourmet pizza and Italian entrees in a sit-down restaurant.
Italian restaurant franchise opportunities
An Italian restaurant franchise.
A neighborhood pizzeria.
For candidates researching restaurant franchise opportunities, Russo's offers a chef-founded Italian kitchen with gourmet New York-style pizza, fresh pasta and four ways to serve guests.
Request restaurant franchise informationWhat kind of restaurant franchise is Russo's?
Russo's is a full-service New York pizzeria and Italian kitchen. The menu brings pizza, pasta, calzones, Italian entrees, salads, sandwiches and desserts into one restaurant.
Chef Anthony Russo founded the concept in Houston in 1992; franchising began in 1999. Family recipes and fresh-to-order food sit at the center of the brand.
The published ideal footprint is 1,800 to 3,500+ square feet, subject to the site, approved restaurant plan and local requirements.
The chef-driven difference
Premium ingredients. A family kitchen standard.
Gourmet pizza and fresh homemade pasta begin with premium flour, fresh dough and scratch-made sauces. We cook with extra virgin olive oil instead of seed oils, keeping Chef Anthony Russo's food story at the center of the restaurant.
The cooking-oil statement does not certify every purchased ingredient as seed-oil-free. Menu availability varies by restaurant and market.
See the craft behind the concept
Meet the chef, explore the recipes and understand the kitchen standards before you evaluate ownership.
Explore Chef & IngredientsThe guest occasions
More than one reason to visit.
A quick pickup
Fresh pasta, salads and pizza for guests on the go.
A meal delivered
A full menu ordered for home or work.
A catered event
Italian trays and group options for offices and celebrations.
These are guest occasions, not guarantees of demand, sales mix or results.
Restaurant franchise cost and requirements
$439,350–$1,490,000
Published U.S. total investment range.
$35,000
Initial U.S. franchise fee.
$250,000
Liquid capital requirement.
$550,000
Net worth requirement.
Investment includes the franchise fee and varies by site and restaurant plan. Review the current FDD, including Items 5, 6 and 7. U.S. figures are not international investment quotes.
Beyond the opening budget, candidates should evaluate staffing, kitchen execution, rent, inventory, local marketing and working capital for their own market. Sales are not profit; use independent advisors and the full franchise disclosures.
Who should explore the opportunity?
Hands-on business owners
Candidates prepared to lead a restaurant team and follow the brand's operating standards.
Experienced restaurant groups
Operators with management, real estate and development capacity.
International partners
Qualified groups with local-market, food-service and supply-chain experience.
Candidate approval and required owner participation are governed by the applicable franchise documents and agreements.
A culinary and operational business
Training can address dough, sauces, pizza, pasta, kitchen operations, food safety, guest service, ordering and catering. Confirm the current program, responsibilities and ongoing support in the FDD.
Explore restaurant training and supportRestaurant franchise questions
How is Russo's different from a pizza-only franchise?
The concept combines gourmet New York-style pizza with fresh pasta and a full Italian menu, using dine-in, takeout, delivery and catering.
Does Russo's provide culinary training?
The current program is described in the FDD and applicable agreements. Candidates should review its content, duration, location and attendance requirements with Franchise Development.
Does every country have the same costs?
No. U.S. figures do not describe an international offer. Costs, fees, imports, supplier arrangements and development obligations must be reviewed for the specific country.
