Russo's New York Pizzeria Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2026)

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

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

Franchisees

Franchise fee

$35,000

Investment

$439,000 - $1,501,000

Revenue (AUV)

$874,000

n.a.

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

The initial investment required for a Russo's New York Pizzeria franchise is $439,000 - $1,501,000. That is the total cost you would need to finance 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

Below is Russo's New York Pizzeria's 2023 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.

Number of units

Russo's New York Pizzeria had 44 total units in 2023, of which 37 were franchised-owned and 7 company-owned.

Frequently Asked Questions

Competitors

Below are some of

Russo's New York Pizzeria

key competitors in the

Pizza

sector.

Franchise

Upgrade

New

6.00%

$439,000

$1,501,000

$874,000

n.a.

Pizza Hut

$200K - $500K

5214

New

-2%

6% - 6.5%

$462,000

$2,054,000

$969,000

n.a.

Patsy's Pizzeria

$200K - $500K

New

-29%

6.00%

$399,000

$766,000

n.a.

Big Mama's and Papa's Pizzeria

$200K - $500K

New

-17%

6.00%

$305,000

$764,000

n.a.

Aurelio's Pizza

$200K - $500K

New

-9%

5.00%

$438,000

$1,253,000

n.a.

Donatos Pizza

Over $500K

125

New

4.00%

$542,000

$1,038,000

$958,000

9.5%

Hangar 54 Pizza

Under $25K

162

New

57%

n.a.

$9,000

$644,000

n.a.

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.

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.
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.
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.