Established
1998
Franchise Units
10
Minimum Investment
$450,000
Franchise Fee
$35,000
Total Investment Range
$750,000
Home Based
No
Description
Squisito Pizza and Pasta is a modern Italian fast-casual restaurant franchise that blends the comfort of classic Italian recipes with the speed, affordability, and consistency today’s customers expect. Built around handcrafted pizzas, fresh pastas, house-made sauces, and family-friendly portions, the brand occupies a sweet spot between traditional sit-down Italian restaurants and quick-service pizza chains.
Squisito’s concept is simple but powerful: serve authentic Italian food made fresh daily, deliver it quickly, and price it so customers can come back again and again. The result is a neighborhood-driven brand that attracts families, working professionals, students, and takeout customers throughout the day. From dine-in and carryout to catering and third-party delivery, Squisito Pizza and Pasta is designed for multiple revenue channels without operational complexity.
Why Invest in This Franchise?
Investing in Squisito Pizza and Pasta means owning a restaurant concept that aligns perfectly with long-term consumer trends. Italian cuisine remains one of the most popular food categories in the U.S., and fast-casual dining continues to outpace traditional full-service restaurants in growth and profitability.
Key investment advantages include:
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Proven Italian Menu Appeal – Pizza and pasta are evergreen favorites with broad demographic reach and strong repeat demand.
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Fast-Casual Efficiency – Lower labor requirements and faster table turns compared to traditional Italian dining.
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Multiple Revenue Streams – Dine-in, takeout, delivery, catering, and family meal bundles.
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Streamlined Operations – Focused menu, standardized recipes, and efficient kitchen design.
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Strong Brand Consistency – Established systems, brand standards, and marketing support reduce trial-and-error for franchisees.
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Scalable Growth Model – Ideal for single-unit owners and multi-unit operators expanding regionally.
Background
Established Year: 1998
Squisito Pizza and Pasta was founded with a clear mission: bring authentic Italian flavors to American neighborhoods in a fast-casual format without compromising quality. From its earliest locations, the brand focused on consistency, fresh preparation, and welcoming hospitality.
Founders: Experienced restaurant entrepreneurs with deep roots in Italian cuisine and franchise operations
Brand Journey & History:
The brand began as a single Italian restaurant concept and quickly gained traction due to its approachable menu and reliable customer experience. As demand grew, Squisito refined its systems, standardized operations, and transitioned into franchising to scale responsibly. Over the years, the company invested heavily in menu engineering, supply chain partnerships, and franchise support infrastructure, allowing it to expand while maintaining quality control.
Franchise Active Units: 10+ operating locations
Ownership & Market Presence:
Squisito Pizza and Pasta operates across multiple U.S. states, with a strong footprint in suburban and high-density residential markets. The brand is positioned within the Italian fast-casual and casual-dining franchise category, competing favorably against national pizza chains and independent Italian restaurants by offering consistency, speed, and value.
Support Training
Squisito Pizza and Pasta offers a comprehensive franchise support system designed to guide owners from initial onboarding through long-term operations and growth.
Pre-Launch Support:
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Site selection guidance and demographic analysis
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Restaurant layout, kitchen flow, and design specifications
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Vendor sourcing and supply chain setup
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Assistance with permitting, licenses, and pre-opening planning
Training Program:
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Extensive initial training covering food preparation, kitchen operations, and service standards
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Front-of-house and back-of-house operational training
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POS systems, inventory management, and cost controls
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Leadership and staff training modules
Operational Support:
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Detailed operations manuals and standardized recipes
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Ongoing field support and performance evaluations
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Quality assurance and brand compliance programs
Marketing & Brand Support:
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Grand opening marketing strategy and launch campaigns
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Local store marketing guidance and promotional calendars
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Digital marketing assets, social media templates, and loyalty programs
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Ongoing brand-level advertising initiatives
Ongoing Assistance:
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Continuous training updates and best-practice sharing
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New product development and menu optimization
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Strategic support for multi-unit expansion
Ideal Candidate
Squisito Pizza and Pasta is well-suited for hands-on entrepreneurs as well as experienced multi-unit operators seeking a scalable Italian restaurant brand.
Ideal candidates typically have:
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A passion for food service, hospitality, and customer satisfaction
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Strong people-management and leadership skills
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Business ownership or restaurant experience (preferred but not mandatory)
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The ability to follow systems and brand standards
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Financial capability to meet investment requirements and sustain operations during ramp-up
Location Preferences:
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Suburban neighborhoods with strong family demographics
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High-traffic retail centers and mixed-use developments
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Areas with demand for takeout, delivery, and casual dining
Franchisees who are community-oriented, operationally disciplined, and growth-minded tend to perform best within the Squisito system.
Financial Detail
| Financial Component | Estimated Amount (USD) |
|---|---|
| Franchise Fee | $35,000 |
| Total Initial Investment | $450,000 – $750,000 |
| Minimum Investment Required | ~$450,000 |
| Leasehold Improvements & Build-Out | $180,000 – $300,000 |
| Equipment, Fixtures & Signage | $120,000 – $180,000 |
| Initial Inventory & Supplies | $15,000 – $25,000 |
| Marketing & Grand Opening Budget | $10,000 – $20,000 |
| Working Capital (First 3–6 Months) | $50,000 – $75,000 |
| Royalty Fee | ~6% of Gross Sales |
| Brand / Marketing Fund Contribution | ~2% of Gross Sales |
| Franchise Units Available | Single-Unit & Multi-Unit |
| Expected Break-Even Period | 18 – 30 Months |
| Primary Revenue Streams | Dine-in, Takeout, Delivery, Catering |
