Franchising

Riko's Pizza opens 1st Massachusetts location in Dartmouth

Photo: Riko's Pizza

May 20, 2024

Riko's Pizza has opened its first Massachusetts location. The pizzeria, located at 227 State Road near Route 6 and the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, marks the company's 10th location overall and sixth franchised location, according to a press release.

Riko's Pizza of Dartmouth boasts a 7,600-square-foot space with rustic-urban décor and seating for 235 guests. The restaurant features a 50-foot bar with 10 beers on tap, alongside 22 TVs.

The menu includes Riko's signature tavern-style pizzas, oven-roasted wings, salads, desserts, appetizers, over 25 wines and specialty cocktails. The restaurant caters to large groups, parties and events, with a dedicated carry-out section and ample parking.

William Medina, a seasoned restaurateur with over 20 years of experience, leads the new franchisee group.

"I am so excited to introduce Riko's Pizza — the King of tavern-style pies — to the Dartmouth community," Medina said in the release. "I want to thank Riko's management team for their leadership and support, which has been critical in opening this incredible location in just seven short months. I also want to thank the City of Dartmouth for welcoming us with open arms; this is truly a wonderful place to live and do business. I know that when the people of Dartmouth and the students of UMass experience our tavern-style pizza, they will instantly be hooked, just as I was. Whether you are looking for a new place to gather with family or friends, watch the game, host an event, or simply pick up a reliable, high-quality pie, look no further than Riko's Pizza of Dartmouth."

Riko's Pizza plans to expand its presence across existing markets and enter new ones like North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Vermont. The company aims to operate over 15 locations on the east coast by year-end 2025.

"On behalf of everyone at Riko's, I want to congratulate William and his team on their location's opening and send my gratitude to the entire Dartmouth community. With Riko's now in your neighborhood, you are free from those sub-par pizza options you have been forced to accept," Rico Imbrogno, co-founder and CEO of Riko's Pizza, said in the release. "This is a huge day for Riko's. Not only have we opened another new restaurant and expanded to our fourth state, but we have officially entered double digits with our total unit count. What started as a small family business has quickly become one of the fastest-growing pizza franchise concepts in America. Reaching our 10th location is an exciting milestone for Riko's, but it is only the start of our growth story. We are thrilled to enter Massachusetts with this Dartmouth location — right around the corner from UMass — and look forward to growing in the market for years to come!"