2008
16
$250,000
$40,000
$1,200,000
No
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.
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 .
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 .
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 .
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 .
Trusted Franchise Partner: In collaboration with Fransmart, known for scaling brands like Five Guys and The Halal Guys, Artichoke is primed for strategic expansion
Established Year: 2008
Founders: Francis Garcia & Sal Basille (cousins and fourth-generation restaurateurs)
Industry Category: Fast-Casual / Specialty Pizza
Artichoke Basille’s Pizza was founded in 2008 in New York City’s East Village, when cousins Francis Garcia and Sal Basille—both seasoned in family-owned Italian restaurants—decided to launch their own take on classic New York pizza. Starting with a modest 400 sq. ft. storefront, the duo quickly attracted massive crowds, thanks to their indulgent, signature pizzas baked in deck ovens, including the now-iconic Artichoke Pie, Crab Pie, and Vodka Pie.
The pizzeria became a cultural phenomenon in Manhattan, drawing in locals, tourists, celebrities, and food critics. Their success quickly expanded into additional NYC locations, and by 2011 the brand had become one of the city’s most recognizable late-night pizza spots. The founders’ personalities and passion for food also landed them TV appearances, including two Cooking Channel shows—“Pizza Cuz” and “Pizza Masters”—which gave the brand national exposure.
Recognizing the potential for nationwide expansion, Artichoke Basille’s Pizza entered into a franchise development partnership with Fransmart in 2019. Fransmart—renowned for scaling Five Guys and The Halal Guys—helped build a structured franchise program, making the brand accessible to entrepreneurs nationwide.
Today, Artichoke Basille’s Pizza has more than 16 locations operating across the United States, including New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, California, Arizona, Florida, and Nevada. The company has set its sights on further growth across major metropolitan and high-traffic urban markets, especially where there is strong demand for authentic New York–style pizza.
The brand is privately owned and actively recruiting qualified franchisees to expand its footprint in the fast-casual pizza industry—a $46 billion U.S. market segment. Its positioning as a premium yet approachable New York pizza franchise makes it an attractive investment for entrepreneurs seeking a differentiated, media-recognized, and proven food concept.
Pre-Launch:
Comprehensive site selection assistance, design, and build-out guidance.
Supply chain setup leveraging franchise-wide vendor networks.
Initial Training:
Intensive onboarding (up to one month) at the East Village flagship location, immersing franchisees in operations, recipes, and brand culture
Operational Support:
Training in back-of-house best practices, kitchen operations, inventory control, quality standards, and customer service.
Marketing Support:
National branding strategies, social media templates, PR guidance, and launch campaigns.
Ongoing Support:
Field operations support, performance analytics, refresher training, digital/third-party delivery channel integration, and periodic brand refreshes.
Continuous collaboration via Fransmart’s development systems and Artichoke’s internal support network.
Artichoke Basille’s Pizza is seeking entrepreneurs and investors who are passionate about food, hospitality, and building community-driven dining experiences. While restaurant experience is helpful, the franchise model is designed to provide comprehensive training and ongoing support, making it accessible to both seasoned operators and ambitious newcomers.
Business Background:
Prior experience in foodservice, hospitality, or multi-unit operations is preferred but not mandatory.
Strong management, leadership, and team-building skills are essential to ensure smooth daily operations.
Passion & Commitment:
A genuine love for authentic New York–style pizza and an enthusiasm for sharing unique, indulgent flavors with local communities.
A hands-on approach to customer service, ensuring every guest enjoys the same authentic experience as in New York City.
Investment Capability:
Financial readiness to meet franchise requirements, including franchise fees, build-out, equipment, and working capital.
Ability to sustain operations through the initial months while building customer loyalty and brand recognition.
Entrepreneurial Spirit:
Growth-focused mindset with the vision to expand into multi-unit development over time.
Willingness to adapt to new technology, delivery platforms, and evolving consumer dining preferences.
Location Preference:
High-traffic urban centers, entertainment districts, university areas, and mixed-use developments where footfall and late-night dining are strong.
Cities with a vibrant food culture or tourist presence, where Artichoke’s cult-favorite status can be maximized.
Brand Alignment:
Franchisees should align with the brand’s identity—premium quality, bold flavors, and an authentic New York vibe.
Commitment to maintaining brand standards, recipes, and customer experience while embracing community-driven growth.
The best-suited franchisees are:
Experienced restaurateurs looking to diversify with a proven, high-demand pizza concept.
First-time entrepreneurs passionate about food, hospitality, and building a lifestyle brand.
Multi-unit investors seeking scalable opportunities with strong ROI potential.
| Category | Estimated Range / Notes |
|---|
| Franchise Fee | $40,000 – $50,000 (one-time) |
| Total Investment | $450,000 – $1,200,000 (depending on location, size, and market) |
| Minimum Liquid Capital | $250,000+ recommended |
| Net Worth Requirement | $750,000+ (multi-unit operators may require higher) |
| Royalty Fee | 6% of gross sales (industry standard) |
| Marketing/Brand Fund | 2% of gross sales (national & local marketing) |
| Build-out / Infrastructure | $300,000 – $700,000 (for 1,100–3,000 sq. ft. locations) |
| Equipment & Décor | $120,000 – $250,000 (deck ovens, refrigeration, furniture, POS systems) |
| Working Capital | $50,000 – $100,000 (recommended for first 3–6 months) |
| Average Store Size | 1,100 – 3,000 sq. ft. (flexible formats: dine-in, delivery, late-night) |
| Potential Revenue Streams | Dine-in, takeout, delivery (Uber Eats, DoorDash, Grubhub), catering, alcohol sales (beer/wine in select markets) |
| Expected ROI | 2–3 years (varies by market and sales volume) |
| Break-even Timeline | 12–24 months (depending on sales and costs) |
| Franchise Units (2025) | ~16+ locations across NY, NJ, CA, CT, AZ, FL, NV, and growing |
