Established
1994
Franchise Units
10
Minimum Investment
$450,000
Franchise Fee
$35,000
Total Investment Range
$950,000
Home Based
No
Description
Sam & Louie’s New York Pizzeria is a well-recognized fast-casual pizza brand built around authentic New York-style pizza, generous portions, and a relaxed neighborhood dining experience. Known for its hand-tossed crusts, house-made sauces, and classic Italian-American recipes, the brand has carved out a strong niche between quick-service pizza chains and full-service Italian restaurants.
The concept appeals to families, college crowds, office lunch traffic, and late-night diners—creating consistent day-part sales and repeat business. With flexible footprints, dine-in and carry-out models, and strong delivery performance, Sam & Louie’s is positioned as a scalable, community-driven pizza franchise for the U.S. market.
Why Invest in This Franchise?
• Operates in the resilient and high-demand U.S. pizza and Italian-casual dining segment
• Authentic New York-style positioning that differentiates it from generic pizza chains
• Strong repeat-customer behavior driven by quality, portion size, and value perception
• Flexible store formats suitable for urban, suburban, and college-area locations
• Balanced revenue mix from dine-in, takeout, catering, and third-party delivery
• Established systems, standardized recipes, and scalable operations
• Suitable for both single-unit owner-operators and multi-unit investors
Background
Established Year: 1994
Founders: Sam Shams and Louie Del Ponte
Industry Category: Fast-Casual / Pizza & Italian Dining
Franchise Active Units – USA : Sam & Louie’s New York Pizzeria currently operates approximately 10+ active franchise locations across the United States.
Sam & Louie’s New York Pizzeria was founded in the mid-1990s with the goal of bringing authentic New York-style pizza to markets outside the East Coast. The brand quickly gained popularity for its oversized slices, thin yet chewy crust, and traditional Italian flavors.
Over the years, the company expanded through franchising, building a presence across multiple U.S. states. The brand emphasizes neighborhood appeal—positioning each restaurant as a local gathering spot rather than a generic chain outlet. Ownership continues to focus on controlled growth, operational consistency, and franchisee profitability.
Today, Sam & Louie’s operates multiple franchise locations across the United States and remains firmly positioned within the fast-casual pizza segment, competing on quality, authenticity, and customer experience.
Support Training
Sam & Louie’s offers a comprehensive franchise support system designed to help owners launch confidently and operate efficiently.
Pre-Launch Support:
• Site selection guidance and lease review assistance
• Restaurant layout, kitchen design, and equipment specifications
• Vendor sourcing and supply chain onboarding
• Pre-opening marketing strategy and local launch planning
Training & Operations:
• In-depth initial training program covering food preparation, operations, and management
• Hands-on kitchen and front-of-house training
• POS systems, inventory management, and labor control education
• Food safety, quality standards, and consistency protocols
Marketing & Ongoing Support:
• Brand-level marketing guidance and promotional campaigns
• Digital marketing tools, social media playbooks, and local store marketing ideas
• Ongoing operational coaching and performance reviews
• Menu innovation updates and operational refinements
Ideal Candidate
Sam & Louie’s is best suited for entrepreneurs and investors who value hands-on involvement and customer-centric operations.
Ideal Candidates Include:
• Owner-operators with restaurant or hospitality experience
• Multi-unit operators seeking a complementary pizza brand
• Entrepreneurs passionate about food, quality, and community engagement
• Investors with strong people-management and operational discipline
• Candidates capable of meeting capital and liquidity requirements
Location Preferences:
• Suburban retail corridors
• College towns and university districts
• Mixed-use developments
• High-traffic neighborhood centers
Financial Detail
| Financial Component | Estimated Cost / Details |
|---|---|
| Total Investment Range | $450,000 – $950,000 |
| Minimum Investment Required | ~$450,000 |
| Franchise Fee | ~$35,000 |
| Leasehold Improvements / Build-Out | $200,000 – $450,000 |
| Kitchen Equipment & POS Systems | $120,000 – $200,000 |
| Initial Inventory & Supplies | $15,000 – $25,000 |
| Marketing & Grand Opening | $10,000 – $20,000 |
| Working Capital (3–6 months) | $40,000 – $80,000 |
| Royalty Fee | ~5% of Gross Sales |
| Marketing / Brand Fund Fee | ~2% of Gross Sales |
| Estimated Annual Revenue (Per Unit) | $900,000 – $1.6M (location dependent) |
| Expected ROI | 20% – 30% annually |
| Estimated Break-Even Period | 24 – 36 months |
| Primary Revenue Streams | Dine-in, Takeout, Delivery, Catering |
