Russo's New York Pizzeria

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Russo's New York Pizzeria

Russo's New York Pizzeria Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Russo’s New York Pizzeria is a pizza franchise serving authentic New York-style pizzas, pastas, and Italian dishes in a casual dining setting.

Founded in 1992 by Chef Anthony Russo in Houston, Texas, Russo’s New York Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen has grown into a globally recognized franchise known for its authentic Italian cuisine.

Drawing from his Italian heritage and family recipes passed down through generations, Chef Russo opened the first location to share the flavors of his childhood. The company began franchising in 1999 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

Russo’s menu features a variety of Italian dishes, including New York–style pizzas, calzones, pastas, soups, salads, and desserts. The franchise prides itself on using fresh, high-quality ingredients, adhering to the motto, “If it isn’t fresh, don’t serve it.”

This commitment to quality sets Russo’s apart from competitors, offering customers an authentic Italian dining experience. Additionally, the franchise caters to modern dietary preferences by providing gluten-free, Halal, and vegan options.

Initial investment

Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee$35,000
Opening Date Extension Fee$0 to $10,000
In-Store Opening Training$0 to $50,000
Site Evaluation Expenses$1,000 to $5,000
Lease Payments – 3 Months$15,000 to $75,000
Ancillary Real Estate Fees$5,000 to $10,000
Architectural$12,000 to $25,000
Engineering$4,000 to $10,000
Plan Review Fee$500
Leasehold Improvements$150,000 to $750,000
Signage$5,000 to $40,000
Retail Equipment / Delivery Vehicle$130,000 to $270,000
Electronic Cash Register with Modem$19,000 to $40,000
Facsimile Machine$350 to $500
Business Licenses & Permits$5,000 to $10,000
Professional Fees$2,500 to $5,000
Insurance Deposits and Premiums$5,000 to $20,000
Initial Inventory$10,000 to $30,000
Travel, Lodging and Meals for Initial Training$10,000 to $40,000
Grand Opening Advertising Program$10,000 to $25,000
Additional Funds – 3 Months$20,000 to $50,000
Total$439,350 to $1,501,000
Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee$35,000
Opening Date Extension Fee$0 to $10,000
In-Store Opening Training$0 to $50,000
Site Evaluation Expenses$1,000 to $5,000
Lease Payments – 3 Months$15,000 to $75,000
Ancillary Real Estate Fees$5,000 to $10,000
Architectural$12,000 to $25,000
Engineering$4,000 to $10,000
Plan Review Fee$500
Leasehold Improvements$150,000 to $750,000
Signage$5,000 to $40,000
Retail Equipment / Delivery Vehicle$130,000 to $270,000
Electronic Cash Register with Modem$19,000 to $40,000
Facsimile Machine$350 to $500
Business Licenses & Permits$5,000 to $10,000
Professional Fees$2,500 to $5,000
Insurance Deposits and Premiums$5,000 to $20,000
Initial Inventory$10,000 to $30,000
Travel, Lodging and Meals for Initial Training$10,000 to $40,000
Grand Opening Advertising Program$10,000 to $25,000
Additional Funds – 3 Months$20,000 to $50,000
Total$439,350 to $1,501,000

Franchise Disclosure Document

Number of units

Training

Russo’s New York Pizzeria provides a comprehensive training program to help franchisees successfully operate their restaurants. The training is detailed and structured to prepare both owners and key personnel.

  1. Initial Training Program: Russo’s offers training for up to four people (such as the franchisee, General Manager, Kitchen Manager, and two cooks) at no charge. The program lasts approximately eight weeks and includes instruction on all major operational areas including kitchen procedures, customer service, and management.
  2. In-Store Opening Training: If needed, the franchisor may send a corporate-trained opening crew to assist for up to 21 days around the restaurant’s opening. Franchisees are responsible for reimbursing travel, lodging, meal, and wage costs for the crew.
  3. Training-Related Travel Costs: Franchisees must cover travel, lodging, and meal expenses associated with attending the training program. These costs are estimated between $10,000 and $40,000 depending on location and travel arrangements.

Territory Protection

Russo’s New York Pizzeria does not guarantee exclusive territorial protection to its franchisees. While franchisees must obtain approval for their specific restaurant site, the Franchise Disclosure Document does not indicate any restrictions on the franchisor granting additional franchises in the same area.

Furthermore, franchisees are not promised protection from competition by the franchisor or other franchisees operating under different formats or brands. The franchisor retains broad rights over operational standards and site development but does not provide contractual assurances that another Russo’s location will not be placed nearby.

Competitors

Below are some of

Russo's New York Pizzeria

key competitors in the

Pizza

sector.

Franchise
Franchisees
Initial fee
Total investment
Revenue
Upgrade
Gross Profit
Upgrade
EBITDA
Upgrade

37

New
+
3%
3%

$35,000

$439,000

$1,501,000

n.a.

$874,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

Competitors

Tandoori Pizza

Tandoori Pizza is a fast-casual restaurant franchise offering Indian-inspired pizzas, appetizers, and specialty entrees, serving adventurous eaters and families, and known for tandoori-seasoned toppings, fusion flavors, and a unique culinary twist.

Franchisees

?

10
+
67%
67%
Investment

?

$374,000 - $659,000

Sarpino's Pizzeria

Sarpino's Pizzeria is a delivery-focused franchise offering gourmet pizzas, calzones, salads, and pastas, serving late-night and family audiences, and known for from-scratch dough, extended hours, and dependable doorstep convenience.

Franchisees

?

43
+
-4%
-4%
Investment

?

$396,000 - $582,000

Manhattan Pizza

Manhattan Pizza is a pizzeria franchise offering New York-style pies, slices, wings, and subs, serving neighborhoods and campus areas, and known for hand-tossed dough, generous portions, and fast, friendly service.

Franchisees

?

12
+
-14%
-14%
Investment

?

$401,000 - $758,000

Buck's Pizza

Buck's Pizza is a neighborhood pizza franchise offering hand-tossed pizzas, wings, subs, and salads, serving local families and game-day crowds, and known for friendly service, carryout and delivery convenience, and classic recipes.

Franchisees

?

9
+
-10%
-10%
Investment

?

$207,000 - $693,000

Big Mama's and Papa's Pizzeria

Big Mama's and Papa's Pizzeria is a pizza restaurant franchise offering giant specialty pies, slices, and Italian favorites, serving families and groups, and known for oversized pizzas, community presence, and casual dine-in and delivery.

Franchisees

?

10
+
-17%
-17%
Investment

?

$305,000 - $764,000

Patsy's Pizzeria

Patsy’s Pizzeria is an authentic Italian pizza franchise offering New York–style pizzas, Italian entrees, salads, and desserts, serving pizza lovers and families, and known for dough tradition, heritage recipes, and premium ingredients.

Franchisees

?

10
+
-29%
-29%
Investment

?

$399,000 - $766,000