Local Entrepreneur to Open Russo's New York Pizzeria

The phrase heard around the world in Italian family kitchens will soon be on the tip of Katy residents' tongues as Russo's New York Pizzeria readies itself to serve authentically Italian meals for lunch and dinner.

Local resident Eduardo Haas has signed a franchise agreement with Russo's Restaurants to open a Russo's New York Pizzeria in Katy. The well-known, Houston-based Italian restaurant that brings to life old world charm and hospitality will open in late 2015. This will be Katy's fourth New York Pizzeria existing locations are on Echo Lane, Westgreen Road and Cinco Ranch.

"There's no denying the demand for quality Italian dining options here in Katy. We offer original Italian recipes that visitors and local residents will fall in love with," said Chef Anthony Russo, founder and CEO of Russo's Restaurants. "As the city grows, the community seeks newer, fresher concepts that are fun for the entire family. We can't wait to give our loyal fans even more of what they crave delicious, New York-style pizza and handcrafted Italian recipes in a cool and trendy interior that is a cozy, family-friendly atmosphere."

The Russo's name has become synonymous with coal-fired New York-style pizza and authentic Italian meals. The family-centered restaurant surrounds diners with warm, inviting dcor to enjoy crisp coal-fired pizza cooked in a 1000-degree brick oven in just three minutes. Beyond the brand's specialty pizzas, menu items include fresh salads (insalata), soups (zuppe) and homemade pastas. Authentic Italian cannoli, fresh seafood, chicken, veal and flatbread sandwiches are just some of the distinctive dishes on the menu. The full Russo's New York Pizzeriamenu is available for viewing at: www.nypizzeria.com.

"If it's not fresh, we don't serve it," 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 majority of Russo's Restaurants locations are in south central Texas. There are additional multi-unit franchise opportunities throughout Texas, in the Greater Houston market, as well as San Antonio, Austin and Dallas-Fort Worth.

"We are advancing our strategic growth plan in the beginning of 2015 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 U.S. locations," said Jim Carr, newly appointed director of franchise development for Russo's Restaurants. "In addition to the U.S. markets, we have targeted international territories as well, and are in early discussions with developers in Canada, Mexico, the Philippines and China."

Highlighting the performance of Russo's New York Pizzeria, and its sister brand Russo's Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen, is the nearly 24 percent average net profit, which includes average food costs of less than 21 percent, a figure well below the national average for the fast casual pizza/Italian sector. Plus, the brands' average unit volume surpasses $1 million. The most recent Russo's opening saw weekly sales income between $35,000 to $60,000. Russo's branded restaurants are profitable during their first year of operations.

For proven restaurant operations teams and driven entrepreneurs interested in pizza franchise opportunities, most commercial loans require a low down payment of 20 to 30 percent of the total investment to launch a restaurant. Moreover, Russo's works with a collection of preferred third party financing sources to support its franchisees.

Russo's New York Pizzeria and its traditional Italian recipes trace their origins to a tight-knit family where the kitchen was the center of all activity. As a youngchild, Anthony helped his grandmother roll doughfor cannoli, carefully wrapping it around four-inch wooden broomsticks in order to perfectly shape the traditional Italian pastry. Bythe age of 12, Anthony waslearning authentic Italian recipes.Earning the Chef's distinction at the young age of 18, Anthony honedhis skills as a culinary expert working in his parent's fine Italian restaurant and then opened his own pizzeria just a few years later. He thenopened Anthony's Pizzeria in Clear Lake, Texas, and latertwo restaurants in Houston; one named Caf Anthony and the other named RussoCaf Anthony, anupscale Italian restaurant.

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 and its New York-style pizza. The restaurants blend premium recipes with the magic created around a homemade Italian meal.

About Russo's Restaurants
Russo's Restaurants is a 36-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 20-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.

SOURCE Russos Restaurants

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