The Rosati’s Pizza franchise business was recently welcomed by the Encinitas Chamber of Commerce at a ribbon-cutting ceremony held at its new N. El Camino Real location. The store, which is owned by Marcey Gordon Tallian and Mike and Debbie Gordon, is open each night until 9 p.m. and offers complete menu delivery within a five-mile radius.
The Rosati’s Pizza Story
Sam Rosati’s inspiration started in the usual place: home. His father, Ferdinand Rosati, started serving Italian food to customers in the late 1890s in New York City. The family relocated to Chicago, where his father opened another Italian eatery with "Italian-style" pizza of homemade sauce on crispy bread on the menu.
Following his father’s lead, Sam Rosati opened his Italian restaurant in 1927 in Chicago’s downtown area. Once he retired, his sons were ready to take the lead, opening the first Rosati’s Pizza in a Chicago suburb in 1964. The business began to franchise in 1978, and has grown successfully since then. Currently, Rosati’s has close to 200 locations across the United States.
Pizza: A Food Pillar
Rosati’s success comes as no surprise: pizza is becoming a bigger and bigger industry. The retail market now stands at $34 billion dollars, making up close to 10 percent of all food service sales across the country today. Various surveys have estimated that around 90 percent of all Americans enjoy pizza, making for a market with enormous potential.
The Rosati's Pizza franchise brand is known for its unique pizza flavor, which originates from the passing down of recipes through multiple generations. The menu features four different types of "Chicago-style" pizza crusts: the thin crust, deep dish, stuffed and double dough. Frozen dough is never used, and a number of toppings are available.
The Rosati’s Franchise Opportunity
Franchisees in the Rosati’s system can expect plenty of assistance, including market analysis, site approval, and a comprehensive training program. The franchise business also offers store-opening assistance and ongoing support, such as marketing materials and a purchase program to help keep costs down for franchisees.
Those interested in this franchise opportunity don’t need to have previous restaurant experience, although it is recommended by the franchiser. A franchisee can also hire a manager with experience if he or she is new to the business. Rosati’s requires franchisees have a net worth of over $400,000, with at least $100,000 of it liquid. The initial franchise fee at this time is $25,000.
A standard Rosati’s franchise agreement has a 15-year term with a specified renewal option. While the franchise does not provide financing, they do have relationships with some lending institutions and Small Business Administration lenders. A typical carryout location is 1,200 feet, and the standard build-out time runs from eight to twelve weeks after the space is made available by the landlord.
To learn more about the Rosati’s opportunity and other franchises, visit FranchiseExpo.com. This franchise information portal allows you to search for franchisers by industry, investment and area and connect to the ones you’re interested in immediately.
