Franchising

Russo’s Pizza cuts franchise fee in half for Texas multi-unit developers

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November 2, 2026

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Russo's New York Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen is offering a 50% discount on initial franchise fees for developers who commit to opening at least three Texas restaurants by Dec. 31, 2026.

The incentive reduces the fee from $35,000 to $17,500 per restaurant as the Houston-founded brand looks to expand in Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin and additional Houston-area markets, according to a press release

Founded by Chef Anthony Russo in Houston in 1992, the brand had 30 U.S. restaurants at the end of 2025, including 24 franchised locations. Russo's operates a full-service Italian kitchen featuring New York-style pizza, house-made dough and sauces, fresh pasta and other Italian dishes, with dine-in, takeout, delivery and catering options.

The company is targeting experienced multi-unit developers and requires candidates to have at least $250,000 in liquid capital. According to its 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document, the top 50% of U.S. franchised restaurants averaged $1.04 million in net sales in fiscal 2025.