LaRosa’s: A Legacy of Family, Flavor, and Franchise Growth

LaRosa’s Pizzeria began its journey in 1954 when founder Buddy LaRosa opened the first location in Cincinnati, Ohio. From those humble beginnings, the brand has grown into a beloved regional pizza franchise, with its headquarters still proudly based in Cincinnati.

Since launching its franchise program in 1967, LaRosa’s has expanded to over 60 units throughout Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky.Renowned for its signature thin-crust pizzas smothered in a sweet, flavorful sauce, LaRosa’s also offers a broad selection of Italian-American favorites.

From hearty hoagys and calzones to fresh salads and comforting pasta dishes, the menu has something for everyone—creating broad appeal across multiple demographics and standing out in a crowded market.

Customer service is another pillar of LaRosa’s success. The brand operates a centralized Guest Service Center, streamlining the order process and ensuring consistent, high-quality service across all locations.

Training

LaRosa’s Pizzeria offers a comprehensive training program designed to prepare franchisees and their teams for the successful operation of a franchise restaurant. The franchisor provides the following types of training:

1. Initial Training Program
   This mandatory training lasts between 8 and 10 weeks and is conducted at the Center for Learning in Cincinnati, Ohio, as well as at a designated training restaurant. The program covers all aspects of restaurant operations, including food preparation, equipment operation, inventory, customer relations, and managerial techniques. Up to five people, including the franchisee or a designated representative and four additional managers, may attend.
2. Pre-Opening On-Site Training
   For first-time franchisees, LaRosa’s provides an experienced supervisor who delivers additional training during the week before and the week of the restaurant’s opening. This training is conducted directly at the new franchise location and is provided at no additional cost.
3. Post-Opening and Additional Training
   If necessary, LaRosa’s may require or provide additional training after the initial program is completed. This includes retraining sessions for employees or the franchisee based on the franchisor’s evaluation. While there’s no charge for the training itself, the franchisee is responsible for all associated expenses such as travel, lodging, and meals.
4. On-the-Job and Classroom Instruction
   The training incorporates both classroom-style instruction and extensive on-the-job training. For example, topics like food preparation include 24 hours of classroom time and 240 hours of on-the-job training, ensuring that trainees gain hands-on experience in real operational environments.

Territory Protection

LaRosa’s Pizzeria provides its franchisees with a designated protected territory in which they are granted the primary responsibility for developing maximum sales volume.

Within this protected territory, the franchisor agrees not to establish or license another LaRosa’s Pizzeria restaurant, provided the franchisee remains in compliance with the agreement. However, LaRosa’s retains the right to establish Special Purpose Outlets—such as those located in malls, airports, hospitals, or universities—within the protected area.

Despite this protection, LaRosa’s franchisees do not receive exclusive rights to the territory. The franchisor may still engage in alternative methods of distribution, including selling branded products in grocery stores or through online channels, even within the franchisee’s protected zone.