News

Russo's heats up the Middle East

July 5, 2016

Chef Anthony Russo, founder and CEO of the two chef-driven concepts, Russo’s New York Pizzeria and Russo’s Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen, announced the brands have completed several large-scale international franchise achievements.

The globally acclaimed chef and entrepreneur has finalized franchise agreements which will add more than 10 Middle Eastern locations, including new restaurants in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, according to a news release. The move will bring the first Russo's Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen to the Middle East, in Dubai. The news release also stated that the chain plans to continue its expansion in the Middle East with an eye on Bahrain, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan and Turkey.

"I am so proud of the way we are progressing in the Middle East," Russo said. "This marks a special moment for us because it shows just how strongly our fans feel about us in the Middle East. These deals will more than double our current presence in the region.

"In addition to connecting very well with our loyal and growing customer base, we have continued to outperform our sales projections each year. Russo's Restaurants is generating sales increases systemwide of more than 20 percent compared to last year. Remarkably, this year we're dramatically outpacing the pizza segment and the overall restaurant industry."