Chef-Driven Russo’s Restaurants Concepts Outperform 2015 Sales Projections; Company’s Most Robust Growth Phase in History
October 6, 2015
Chef-Driven Russo’s Restaurants Concepts Outperform 2015 Sales Projections; Company’s Most Robust Growth Phase in History
Unique Fast-Casual New York Pizzeria and Upscale Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen with Fresh-to-Order Menus Accelerate US and International Expansion
HOUSTON – An innovative new menu featuring more than a dozen new made-from-scratch dishes such as Chicken Kale Pizza; sales increases surging 10-times the industry average; and franchise growth that is reinforcing the brand as a global phenomenon – these attributes are insuring that Russo’s New York Pizzeria and Russo’s Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen are well on their way to extreme global stardom.
Russo’s Restaurants, the family of dining concepts, which includes both Russo’s New York Pizzeria and Russo’s Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen, announced today restaurant revenue increases that are nearly 10 percent (9.8 percent) higher than original 2015 projections. This extraordinary performance is accelerating strategic plans for U.S. and international expansion.
Amid an exceptional year, Russo’s plans to open an additional seven restaurants by the end of 2015 throughout lucrative markets such as Austin, Dallas, Houston and the Middle East. And, to build on this, 2016 stands to be the brands’ most aggressive growth phase yet.
“We have continued to outperform our sales projections each year. For instance, in 2014, Russo’s Restaurants generated sales increases systemwide of more than 20 percent compared to the year prior,” said Anthony Russo, the creative culinary mind, founder and CEO of Russo’s New York Pizzeria and Russo’s Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen. “Remarkably, this year we’re ahead of our 2014 performance – dramatically outpacing the pizza segment and the overall restaurant industry. The numbers are outstanding, and our model is to thank.”
Highlighting the performance of Russo’s New York Pizzeria and Russo’s Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen, average unit volume at the restaurants surpasses $1 million annually. The most recent Russo’s opening saw weekly sales incomes between $35,000 to $60,000. Almost unheard of in the industry, Russo’s branded restaurants are profitable during their first year of operations.
Chef Russo’s creativity and commitment to expanding his menu to meet growing consumer demands for heart-healthy options and strengthening the depth and breadth of his authentically Italian selections continues to strengthen the brands. He clearly demonstrates and reflects the growing trend among fast casual diners for chef-driven concepts with authentic recipes and chef-inspired culinary cuisine.
Russo’s Restaurants offers a rare franchise opportunity for entrepreneurs interested in proven brands that are entirely chef-created, chef-inspired and chef-driven. The franchise investment for Russo’s New York Pizzeria in spaces from 1,500 sf to 3,500 sf is between $350,000 and $700,000 per location. For Russo’s Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen in spaces from 3,800 sf to 7,000 sf, the franchise investment ranges between $750,000 and $1,400,000 per location. Both vary depending on the market and restaurant square footage.
Russo’s Restaurants kicked off 2015 with openings at the Spring Market Place in the Houston market and The Rim in San Antonio. International openings have included The Dalma Mall in Abu Dhabi. Plus, there are additional planned openings in Dubai, Katy (Texas) Austin and Brownsville (Texas) later this year. Currently, there are 12 restaurants projected to open in 2016.
“We are advancing our strategic growth plan in 2016 with plans to add 20 to 30 restaurants in the next three years. The new phase of franchising will more than double our number of international and domestic locations,” said Jim Carr, director of franchise development for Russo’s Restaurants. “In addition to growth in U.S. markets, we are in discussions with developers in France, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Canada, Mexico, the Philippines, Thailand and China. The world is becoming infatuated with Russo’s”
The majority of Russo’s Restaurants locations are in south central Texas. There are additional U.S. multi-unit franchise opportunities throughout attractive markets in Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Florida, Hawaii and internationally. Plus, territories throughout the Great Plains, South and East Coast are key expansion regions.
Today, Russo’s New York Pizzeria and Russo’s Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen have garnered a cult-like following for their truly authentic and delicious Italian dishes made from the freshest ingredients in addition to several varieties of New York-style pizza. The restaurants blend premium recipes with the magic created around a homemade Italian meal.
“If it’s not fresh, we don’t serve it! It’s our family promise,” said Russo. “The emphasis on quality food is apparent from our menu creations to our open kitchen concept. We want our guests to know that serving great food is our number one priority.”
The family-centered restaurant surrounds diners with warm, inviting décor to enjoy heart-healthy menu items made fresh without preservatives, additives or trans fats. Beyond the brands’ specialty pizzas, menu items include fresh salads, soups and made-from-scratch sauces and pastas. Authentic Italian cannoli, fresh-baked, Italian flatbread sandwiches and, of course, hand-tossed pizzas are just some of the distinctive craveable items on the menu.
About Russo’s Restaurants
Russo’s Restaurants is a 46-location national and international franchisor of the fast casual and casual dining brands Russo’s New York Pizzeria and Russo’s Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen. Based in Houston, Russo’s Restaurants are composed of a mix of corporate and franchised locations across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, Florida and Hawaii. Russo’s has entered international markets as well, with locations in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, in the United Arab Emirates. There are an additional 29-plus units in development both in the United States and internationally. Chef Anthony Russo has created his concepts from years of applying his unique, family recipes featuring New York-style pizza, along with a broad variety of handcrafted pasta creations, calzones, salads, sandwiches, soups and desserts, reflecting his commitment to his New York roots where food and family come first. To learn more about Russo’s franchise development opportunities, visit www.franchiserussos.com.
For international franchise development, contact our international franchise development manager, Suzanne Boyadjian at suzanne@nypizzeria.com. For domestic franchising, contact Jim Carr, director of franchise development at j.carr@nypizzeria.com or by phone at (832) 980-6407.
