Russo’s Organizes Successful Fundraiser for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

The Italian restaurant franchise launched the campaign to help the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as part of its continued commitment to family and community, raising more than $120,000

There are many reasons why Russo’s pizza franchise is at the forefront of the thriving $45.1 billion industry in the United States. The authentic New York pizzeria brings the taste of the Old World right to the table and has won a loyal following all across the United States. Equally important is the Italian restaurant franchise’s relentless focus on culture and positively impacting the communities it serves.

Russo’s restaurant franchise is the brainchild of Founder and CEO Chef Anthony Russo, who from a young age, learned how great food can go hand in hand with family. Chef Russo’s extended family often visited from Italy over the summers and he still remembers learning the fine art of handcrafting cannolis on a wood broomstick, by watching his grandmother at work. Russo’s Italian restaurant franchise is still committed to that essential culture: one of families and friends sitting together at a table for great food, great conversation and great memories.

Equally important, Russo’s believes in a definition of family that extends to all the communities it serves and to its hardworking franchisees who make the pizza franchise a darling of customers far and wide. With this in mind, the restaurant franchise is committed to doing its part to keep families strong in communities across the country.

Seeing as how cancer is tearing apart the fabric of families, the Italian restaurant franchise hosted a fundraiser from mid-January to March, in support of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). The national foundation fights hard to find a cure for blood cancers and provides support for families facing a daunting struggle. “Countless loved ones, including members of my own family, have been struck with cancer and have battled through the hardship,” said Chef Russo. “My heart breaks to see people close to me suffer through this terrible disease, so we’re doing everything we can to support LLS’s life-saving research. And how do you cure cancer? You donate.”

Russo’s franchisees all over rallied to the cause urging patrons to donate a dollar with every meal to the fundraiser. The Italian restaurant franchise’s fundraising initiative complemented LLS’s Student of the Year campaign—a philanthropic development program that calls upon the most engaged high-school students and provides them an opportunity to plan and implement their own fundraising campaign for people who have blood cancers and are survivors. Russo’s sponsored one of the Houston-area students (who also happens to be Chef Anthony’s son) Anson Moore, by hosting the brand-wide fundraiser to amplify donation efforts to Moore’s campaign. Russo’s hosted a polo tournament and a cocktail party to this point.

The community effort, which raised $120,130 was a huge success and is a testament to the continued investment that the pizza franchise has in the vitality and health of families everywhere. Congratulations to Team Thrive and all of its amazing fundraisers and supporters for raising such an incredible amount, and winning the 2018 Students of the Year campaign for the second year in a row!

The Italian restaurant franchise has a growing family of franchisees who leverage Russo’s strong standing in the community to build their own businesses. Russo’s strong family-oriented culture and delicious assortment of authentic NY pizzeria foods attracts customers who remain loyal because of Russo’s emphasis on quality ingredients, stellar service and an investment in the extended community.

That same spirit of family translates to Russo’s gourmet menu. The restaurant franchise understands that people might have different dietary restrictions, so it offers vegetarian selections and a variety of delicious gluten free pizza. These include the gluten-free Margherita made with Roma tomatoes, fresh basil, all-natural mozzarella, garlic, and organic extra virgin olive oil, and the gluten-free Mulberry which has Italian sausage, pepperoni, Canadian bacon, hamburger, and mozzarella, with our homemade pizza sauce. Russo’s gluten free salads and soups complement the variety of delicious gluten free pizzas.

Recognizing that not all families might want to sit down and linger over a relaxing meal at the restaurant, Russo’s also offers its authentic foods through three different outlets: Russo’s New York Pizzeria, a fast-casual pizza and Italian restaurant chain, Russo’s Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen, a full-service, sit-down Italian chain centered on their coal-fired ovens and Russo’s Next Generation Pizza & Italian, essentially a counter-service restaurant.

Russo’s New York pizzeria and restaurant franchise is based on a rock-solid foundation of beloved recipes forming the basis of delicious food that is crafted with care using only the freshest of ingredients. Franchisees stand to gain from Russo’s popularity in the community as it continues to deliver both the best and most authentic Italian foods and a helping hand to struggling families through fundraisers like the LLS cause.

Russo’s treats its franchisees just like family: everybody has a seat at the table and learns from each other to develop and nurture long-lasting relationships. The Italian restaurant franchise believes in its key principles of delicious authentic food and lasting family connections that extend to the communities it serves. This clarity of purpose wins the hearts of customers and forms the foundation of a thriving business for franchisees. This, in addition to ongoing marketing support means that Russo’s franchisees can focus on what they do best: delighting customers one delicious hand-crafted meal at a time.

Visit Russo’s Restaurants Learn more about Russo’s culture and why the Italian restaurant franchise could be right for you.