Franchising

Russo's signs Fresno multi-unit deal

Photo: iStock.

May 11, 2021

Houston-based Russo's New York Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen has signed a five-unit franchise agreement for Fresno California with husband-and-wife team, Katharina and Don Haines, a news release said.

"After trying Russo's Pizza while living in Houston, it reminded me of the Italian pizza I would eat while growing up in New Jersey, something that is hard to find on the West Coast," Don Haines said in the release. "You can't find good authentic Italian pizza for delivery or take-out in Fresno and I'm confident by offering quality Italian food, Russo's will soon become the go-to Italian restaurant in our area."

The Haines recently moved back to California and saw a growing demand for authentic Italian cuisine in Fresno.

"I'm so excited to expand our brand into California and have more guests try the recipes that I grew up using with my family," Anthony Russo, Russo's founder and CEO, said in the release. "The Haines' are extremely passionate about authentic food and good service which will represent Russo's well as we enter this new state."

Russo's restaurants are custom designed with an open kitchen concept, counter service, and limited employees for maximum revenue and lower labor costs. The company said its AUV is $980,900, while average food costs are 21%, average labor costs are 23%, and the average income is 19.2%. The average store investment ranges from $350,000 to $895,000. Qualified candidates must have at least $200,000 in liquid capital. The system has 50 stores in Texas, Oklahoma, and Florida, as well as Saudi Arabia and the UAE.