Russo’s New York Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen recently finalized a franchise agreement with first-time franchise entrepreneurs, Keven Barth and Phuong Thai. The deal entails the establishment of a new Russo’s franchise location in Mesa, Arizona, scheduled to open its doors in the Spring of 2024, as outlined in an official announcement.

Thai, in the press release, shared her perspective on the venture: “My husband and I are primarily based in Arizona, though we split our time between there and Houston. We’ve been loyal patrons of Russo’s for years, deeply appreciating their cuisine, exceptional service, and the entire Russo’s concept, including their innovative franchise model. What really drew us in was the prospect of owning a Russo’s restaurant, which allows us direct access to Anthony Russo himself. This personal connection, as opposed to dealing with a faceless corporation, was a major selling point for us.”

In the same press release, Chef Anthony Russo, the visionary behind Russo’s New York Pizzeria Franchise and the company’s CEO, emphasized the unique qualities that set their franchise concept apart: “We rely on time-honored Italian family recipes and the finest, freshest ingredients to craft a distinctive and delectable product. It is the superior quality of our cuisine that truly distinguishes our pizza franchise from the competition.”

Russo’s is enthusiastic about its expansion in Arizona with the collaboration of Kevin and Phuong, aiming to bring the finest New York-style pizza and authentic Italian dishes to the local communities.

Currently, Russo’s has cultivated a presence with a total of 54 corporate-owned, as well as franchised establishments across various states, including Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma, California, and Florida. Furthermore, the brand has ventured into the international market, with locations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Doha, Qatar, and Manila, Philippines.

About Russo’s Restaurants

Founder Anthony Russo opened his first restaurant in 1999 in Houston, TX. There are currently 26 corporate and franchise locations throughout the Greater Houston Area, 9 locations nationally and 6 locations internationally. For more information about Russo’s franchise development opportunities, visit russosfranchise.com.