Established
1977
Franchise Units
14
Minimum Investment
$345,200
Franchise Fee
$30,000
Total Investment Range
$885,350
Home Based
No
Description
Johnny Brusco’s New York Style Pizza brings the unmistakable flavour, feel, and character of classic New York pizzerias into neighborhoods across America. With hand-tossed dough, premium ingredients, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere, the brand delivers an authentic pizzeria experience that resonates with families, local professionals, students, and pizza enthusiasts alike.
For investors looking to enter the competitive pizza industry with a concept that balances authenticity and scalability, Johnny Brusco’s stands out. The brand blends the tradition of a neighbourhood pizza joint with the strength of a structured franchise system—offering dine-in, take-out, delivery, catering, and community-centric service. Backed by decades of operational refinement, a loyal customer base, and strong brand recognition in key markets, Johnny Brusco’s is well-positioned for continued expansion across the USA.
If you're looking for a restaurant franchise with heart, personality, and proven systems, Johnny Brusco’s New York Style Pizza offers an attractive path to ownership.
Why Invest in This Franchise?
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Authentic, High-Quality Concept – Johnny Brusco’s differentiates itself with true New-York-style pizza, hand-tossed dough, fresh toppings, open-kitchen design, and a full menu that appeals to a broad customer base.
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Strong Category Performance – Pizza remains one of the strongest foodservice categories in America, with proven resilience in dine-in, take-out, and delivery channels.
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Diversified Revenue Streams – Franchisees can generate revenue through dine-in, take-out, delivery, catering, and in some cases, beer and wine service.
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Supportive Franchise System – The brand provides extensive operational, marketing, and training support to ensure new owners feel confident from day one.
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Appeal in Suburban & Mid-Sized Markets – Johnny Brusco’s thrives in communities where families and local residents prefer a reliable, family-friendly pizzeria with strong local presence.
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Potential for Multi-Unit Growth – The franchise offers area development and multi-unit pathways for investors who want to expand quickly.
Background
Johnny Brusco’s New York Style Pizza traces its roots back to the 1970s when founder Bruce Jackson began making pizza as a teenager in Manlius, New York. His early experience in classic New York pizzerias shaped the signature style the brand is known for today—hand-tossed dough, premium ingredients, and a warm, neighborhood-focused dining experience.
In 1977, Bruce Jackson and partner Scott Allen opened their first pizzeria in Georgia, introducing the Southeast to authentic New York–style pizza at a time when the category was still developing in the region. The concept quickly gained a loyal following, leading the founders to formalize the business and begin franchising in 1994.
As the brand expanded, Johnny Brusco’s evolved from a small local shop into a scalable franchise system with a strong identity rooted in community, hospitality, and quality-driven pizza craftsmanship. The brand built a reputation for consistency, open-kitchen transparency, and a full menu that resonates with families, students, professionals, and pizza lovers alike.
Today, Johnny Brusco’s continues to grow steadily across the United States, maintaining a strong presence in Georgia, Tennessee, and surrounding markets. Leadership remains closely tied to its founding roots, with ongoing involvement from the Jackson family as the brand moves into its next growth phase. With a franchise model that balances operational structure with local-pizzeria charm, Johnny Brusco’s is well-positioned for further expansion into suburban, mid-sized, and emerging markets across the country.
Franchise Active Units: 14 locations currently operating across the USA.
Support Training
Pre-Launch Support
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Site Selection Assistance – Guidance on demographics, traffic, accessibility, and selecting the right location for strong long-term performance.
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Lease & Real Estate Support – Help with negotiations, landlord relations, and understanding market standards.
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Construction & Build-Out – Architectural plans, vendor lists, equipment specifications, build-out timelines, and project oversight from the franchisor.
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Pre-Opening Training – Extensive training covering operations, food preparation, team management, customer service, and financial controls. Franchisees also receive hands-on in-store training.
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Grand Opening Support – A corporate support team is available during the final stages to train staff, execute soft-opening strategies, and ensure smooth launch.
Ongoing Support
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Operations Support – Regular assessments, operational guidance, and additional training as needed to maintain brand standards.
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Marketing & Advertising – Access to national and local marketing strategies, promotional materials, social media guidance, loyalty programme integration, and ongoing brand-wide campaigns.
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Technology Support – Integrated POS systems, online ordering platforms, delivery management, and reporting tools to streamline operations.
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Supply Chain Assistance – Support with approved vendors, cost management, inventory guidance, and purchasing consistency.
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Protected Territory – Franchisees receive exclusive market areas to protect their long-term investment.
Ideal Candidate
Johnny Brusco’s looks for owners who are passionate, hands-on, and community-driven. Ideal candidates include:
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Entrepreneurial individuals ready to run a customer-facing business with daily involvement.
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Hospitality-minded operators who genuinely enjoy food, service, and engaging with the local community.
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Business-savvy investors able to follow systems, lead a team, manage operations, and maintain quality.
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Multi-unit developers seeking scalable restaurant opportunities across multiple territories.
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Financially capable investors who can meet the brand’s investment requirements and working capital needs.
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Community-focused owners who want to build a neighbourhood pizzeria that becomes a local staple.
No prior restaurant experience is required—just commitment, leadership, and willingness to follow a proven model.
Financial Detail
| Category | Amount (USD) |
|---|---|
| Franchise Fee | $30,000 |
| Total Investment Range | $345,200 – $885,350 |
| Liquid Capital Required | $50,000 – $100,000 |
| Net Worth Required | ~$300,000 |
| Royalty Fee | 4% (GA) / 5% (outside GA) |
| Marketing Fund Fee | 1% of gross sales |
| Store Size | 2,800 – 3,500 sq ft |
| Working Capital | Varies (first-year operating reserves) |
| Revenue Potential | $1M+ annually (varies) |
| Break-Even Estimate | 2 – 4 years |