Established
2008
Franchise Units
16
Minimum Investment
$353,000
Franchise Fee
$45,000
Total Investment Range
$1,800,000
Home Based
No
Description
Experience the irresistible allure of genuine New York-style pizza with Artichoke Basille’s Pizza, a cult-favorite fast-casual pizzeria born in Manhattan’s East Village in 2008. Founded by fourth-generation restaurateurs Francis Garcia and Sal Basille, this brand has captured the hearts of locals, food critics, and celebrities alike—thanks to its signature thick-crust creations such as the famed Artichoke Pie, Crab Pie, and Vodka Pie. Backed by national media acclaim and a loyal fan base, Artichoke Basille’s Pizza is perfectly positioned for nationwide expansion through franchising. Discover what makes this franchise a compelling investment across the USA.
Why Invest in this Franchise?
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Cult-like Brand Loyalty: With a dedicated fan following and lines out the door in cities from NYC to California, Artichoke has cultivated almost mythical popularity .
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Proven Unique Concept: Our pizzas—never made in conveyor ovens but baked in deck/ceramic ovens—offer a thick, indulgent crust with bold, layered toppings that stand out in the fast-casual scene .
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Strong Media Presence: Founders Fran & Sal have appeared on major shows (The Rachael Ray Show, Late Night with Seth Meyers, The Tonight Show, etc.) and even headlined two Cooking Channel series—Pizza Masters and Pizza Cuz .
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Low Entry and High Margin Model: Compact formats (1,100–3,000 sq ft) and efficient build-outs allow for lean overhead and strong unit economics .
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Trusted Franchise Partner: In collaboration with Fransmart, known for scaling brands like Five Guys and The Halal Guys, Artichoke is primed for strategic expansion
Background
- Established Year: 2008
Franchising Commenced: 2014
Founders: Francis Garcia and Sal Basille
Active Units: 16
Industry Category: Fast-Casual Pizza / Full-Service Restaurant
Brand Journey: Fourth-generation restaurateurs Fran and Sal left their family business on Staten Island to open a small shop in Manhattan's East Village. What started as a local favorite quickly turned into a national phenomenon. Today, the brand has a presence in major markets including New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Arizona, and California, and continues to target the top 40 media markets in the U.S.
Support Training
Pre-Launch:
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Comprehensive site selection assistance, design, and build-out guidance.
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Supply chain setup leveraging franchise-wide vendor networks.
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Initial Training:
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Intensive onboarding (up to one month) at the East Village flagship location, immersing franchisees in operations, recipes, and brand culture
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Operational Support:
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Training in back-of-house best practices, kitchen operations, inventory control, quality standards, and customer service.
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Marketing Support:
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National branding strategies, social media templates, PR guidance, and launch campaigns.
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Ongoing Support:
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Field operations support, performance analytics, refresher training, digital/third-party delivery channel integration, and periodic brand refreshes.
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Continuous collaboration via Fransmart’s development systems and Artichoke’s internal support network.
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Ideal Candidate
The brand is looking for partners who understand that Artichoke is more than a business—it’s a lifestyle.
Experienced Operators: Ideally, candidates should have a background in multi-unit food service or retail operations.
Well-Capitalized Investors: The ability to fund the initial build-out and sustain growth is essential.
Passion for the Brand: You must love the product. Artichoke is looking for "pizzaiolos at heart" who will protect the integrity of the recipe.
Community Focused: Entrepreneurs who understand their local market and can build the same "neighborhood staple" vibe that exists in New York.
Location Preference: Urban centers, high-traffic pedestrian zones, areas with vibrant nightlife, or unique "destination" real estate.
Financial Detail
| Category | Details (Estimated) |
| Total Investment Required | $353,000 – $1,800,000 |
| Minimum Cash Required | $100,000 - $500,000 (Varies by location) |
| Initial Franchise Fee | $45,000 |
| Royalty Fee | 6% – 7% of Gross Sales |
| Marketing Fee | 1% – 2% |
| Working Capital | $10,000 – $50,000 |
| Expected ROI | High (Based on historical unit performance) |
| Break-even Time | Typically 18 – 36 months (Varies by market) |