Russo’s New York Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen, a popular Houston-based fast-casual pizza brand, has signed a five-unit franchise agreement in Fresno California. The multi-unit deal is with a local entrepreneurial couple who fell in love with the food and decided to bring the pizza concept to their town.
The five restaurants will be owned and operated by husband-and-wife team Katharina and Don Haines. Don comes from an Italian family and Katharina spent most of her life in Europe, so it was important for them to invest in a brand with authentic Italian food. While living in Texas, the couple tried Russo’s and found that perfect slice of pizza.
Anthony Russo Eyes California With Five-Unit Franchise Deal Chef Anthony Russo is excited about expanding his brand into Fresno, California. Russo s New York Pizzeria and Italian Kitchen / Facebook
Anthony Russo Eyes California With Five-Unit Franchise Deal
Franchisee Don Haines said Russo s New York-style pizza reminded him of the pies he enjoyed while growing up in New Jersey.
The franchise agreement with Katharina and Don Haines will bring Russo’s New York Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen to the Golden State for the first time.
The Haines first tried Russo’s pizza while they were living in Texas and decided the chain would be a good fit in Fresno.
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HOUSTON, May 10, 2021 /PRNewswire/ Russo s New York Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen, a popular Houston-based fast-casual pizza brand, has signed a five-unit franchise agreement in Fresno California. The multi-unit deal is with a local entrepreneurial couple who fell in love with the food and decided to bring the pizza concept to their town.
The five restaurants will be owned and operated by husband-and-wife team Katharina and Don Haines. Don comes from an Italian family and Katharina spent most of her life in Europe, so it was important for them to invest in a brand with authentic Italian food. While living in Texas, the couple tried Russo s and found that perfect slice of pizza.
Thaia
“Top Chef’s” Marcel Vigneron (Wolf, Beefsteak) has opened a Thai restaurant in Malibu’s Point Dume Plaza. Thaia offers curries, pan-fried noodles, soups, satay and California-influenced Thai fare as well as Pan-Asian plates such as BBQ ribs with five spice and lemongrass, and spicy tuna crispy rice with nuoc cham. It’s the latest concept from the team behind Ollo and Bui Sushi (also in Malibu and helmed by Vigneron) and is open for dinner Tuesday to Sunday with cocktails, beer, wine, dine-in and takeout available.
29169 Heathercliff Road, Suite 102, Malibu, (310) 589-2200, thaiamalibu.com
Dishes at Thaia include curries, pan-fried noodles, soups, satay and California-influenced Thai fare.
East Coast-styled Italian Deli Uncle Paulie’s is ready for a hat trick, having locked down a third location around Los Angeles. This time the streetwear-famous shop, known for its robust celebrity clientele and its sandwiches, will open in Studio City, just south of Ventura Boulevard.
The new Uncle Paulie’s Deli takes over for the closed Pagliacci’s New York Pizzeria at 3990 Vantage Avenue, just west of Laurel Canyon Boulevard in perhaps the busiest stretch in the whole neighborhood. The small side street space with the faded red awning measures only some 900 square feet, owner Paul James tells Eater, but will require a relatively robust build-out to bring things up to speed. Ideally that would mean an opening sometime this summer for James and co-founder/partner/designer Jon Buscemi. Despite an uncertain opening date, the shop will offer the same takeaway options and merch as the stores on Beverly Boulevard and in Downtown LA, but with lots of outdoor seating given they’re