Franchising

Russo’s New York Pizzeria opens second Arizona location near ASU

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September 28, 2026

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Russo's New York Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen has opened its second Arizona location near the Arizona State University campus in Tempe, the company announced in a news release. The restaurant, owned and operated by franchisees Kristina and Christian Alvarez, serves the brand's New York-style pizza, oversized slices, 28-inch Giant Party Pizza, fresh-made pasta and other Italian dishes prepared from scratch.

"We chose the Russo's New York Pizzeria franchise because we immediately fell in love with the food," the Alvarezes said in the release. "The gourmet, fresh, high-quality ingredients, the scratch-made recipes and, most importantly, the incredible taste really stood out to us."

The opening is part of the Italian restaurant franchise's continued expansion in the Southwest and across the U.S. Founded by Chef Anthony Russo, the concept offers several restaurant formats, including pizzeria models starting at about 1,500 square feet. According to the company's franchise disclosure information, franchised locations have average unit volumes of approximately $1.1 million.

Franchising