Franchising

Prince St. Pizza partners with Dave’s Hot Chicken franchisee for national expansion

Photo: Prince Street Pizza

March 31, 2026

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Prince St. Pizza, a New York-based pizzeria known for its Sicilian-style square pies, has formed a partnership with restaurateur Lawrence Kourie to expand the brand's presence across the country, according to a press release.

Kourie is the founder and largest franchise owner of Dave's Hot Chicken. In his role, he will work with Prince St. Pizza leadership to increase the number of locations.

"Lawrence has built and operated one of the fastest-expanding restaurant concepts in the country, but what stands out is his disciplined approach to growth and brand integrity," Lawrence Longo, CEO of Prince St. Pizza, said in the release. "He understands how to develop a concept without losing what made it special in the first place, which is critical as we enter this next phase."

Kourie said he first learned of the concept through word-of-mouth before visiting the New York location and connecting with Longo.

"I have spent years evaluating restaurant concepts, and it is rare to find one that delivers both a strong product and a clear identity," Kourie said in the release. "What Prince St. has built is difficult to truly replicate. The focus now is on growing the brand in a way that preserves that foundation while introducing it to new communities."

The expansion will utilize Kourie's existing operations in multiple states to enter new territories.

"I've built my career around identifying concepts with real cultural and culinary significance and helping them reach more people," Kourie said in the release. "The opportunity here is to scale it thoughtfully, so that each new place experiences the brand in a way that feels authentic from day one. Like they are stepping into a true New York slice joint."

Prince St. Pizza originated in the Nolita neighborhood of Manhattan. Its long-term strategy focuses on introducing signature items, such as the spicy spring sicilian square, to new markets nationwide.

Franchising