Russo’s New York Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen signs five-store development deal

Russo’s New York Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen (Russo’s) has signed a multi-unit development deal in the Houston market with passionate franchisees Randall and Ayesha McCoy.

Randall’s career is intertwined with the development of the Russo’s name, as he assisted founder Anthony Russo at his first pizzeria back in 1985, and has now returned to be a part of the brand’s ongoing success.

“I remember grating mozzarella cheese, making fresh pizza dough, and leaving the restaurant covered in flour,” said Randall McCoy. “So when I sat down to visit a Russo’s after many years, the aromas of the pizza and pasta immediately took me back to those days. I could tell right away, Russo’s was (and still is) all about quality ingredients.”

The McCoy family plans to develop small units from 1,500 to 1,800 square feet, featuring a full menu of fresh offerings sourced from dairy farmers, tomato growers, and olive oil producers.

To date, Russo’s has 50 corporate and franchised locations across both the U.S., as well as throughout the UAE, where the brand operates in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah.

“We are incredibly excited to have the McCoy family join us. It’s never been a better time for Russo’s New York Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen, as we have seen our sales thrive even in the midst of a global pandemic,” said Anthony Russo, founder and chef. “Our locations are successfully designed to serve guests through dine-in, home delivery, catering, takeout, and curbside pick up. Pizza not only is surviving; it is thriving.”