Local franchise owners Kristina & Christian Alvarez bring authentic New York-style pizza, fresh-made pasta and Russo family recipes to the Arizona State University community

TEMPE, Ariz., Sept. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Russo's New York Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen, the award-winning Italian restaurant and pizza franchise founded by Chef Anthony Russo, has officially opened its newest Arizona location at 521 S. College Avenue in Tempe, near the Arizona State University campus.

The new Tempe restaurant is locally owned and operated by franchisees Kristina & Christian Alvarez, who are bringing Russo's signature New York-style pizza and fresh-scratch Italian cuisine to the Tempe community.

"We are incredibly excited to bring authentic New York-style pizza to Tempe and introduce the community to Russo's famous oversized pizza slices," said Kristina & Christian Alvarez. "We chose the Russo's New York Pizzeria franchise because we immediately fell in love with the food. The gourmet, fresh, high-quality ingredients, the scratch-made recipes and, most importantly, the incredible taste really stood out to us. We knew this was a brand and a product we would be proud to bring to our community."

The opening marks Russo's second location in Arizona and represents another step in the brand's continued franchise expansion throughout the Southwest and across the United States.

Founded by Chef Anthony Russo, Russo's New York Pizzeria is built around the traditional Italian-American recipes and pizza-making techniques Russo learned growing up in a first-generation Italian family in New York.

"At Russo's, we are a fresh-scratch kitchen — not a concept built around premade frozen dough, low-quality pizza toppings, artificial flavors or unnecessary additives," said Chef Anthony Russo, Founder and CEO of Russo's New York Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen. "We make our pizza and pasta the old-fashioned way, using fresh dough, fresh-made pasta, premium toppings and high-quality ingredients."

Authentic New York Pizza in the Heart of Tempe

Kristina & Christian Alvarez and their team will serve Russo's signature New York-style pizza, including the brand's famous giant New York pizza slices and impressive 28-inch Giant Party Pizza.

Russo's pizza dough is prepared fresh using premium flour and is fermented for 24 hours to develop its signature flavor and texture. The menu also features premium Italian ingredients, house-made sauces, fresh pasta and classic Italian dishes prepared from scratch.

Russo's emphasizes quality ingredients and traditional preparation methods and does not use seed oils in its cooking.

Menu favorites include:

• Authentic New York-style pizza
• Giant New York pizza slices
• 28-inch Giant Party Pizza
• Fresh-made pasta
• Chicken Parmesan
• Lasagna
• Meatballs
• Italian sandwiches
• Fresh salads
• House-made desserts and tiramisu

The Tempe location is positioned to serve ASU students, faculty, nearby residents, local businesses and visitors looking for authentic New York-style pizza and Italian food in the heart of Tempe.

"We're excited to have Kristina and Christian Alvarez representing Russo's in Tempe," Russo said. "Strong local franchise owners are an important part of our growth, and we're proud to see them bring our family recipes, New York-style pizza and fresh-scratch Italian food to this community."

Russo's Continues National Franchise Expansion

The Tempe opening comes as Russo's New York Pizzeria continues expanding through qualified franchise partners in markets across the United States and internationally.

Russo's offers several restaurant formats designed for different markets, including compact pizzeria models beginning at approximately 1,500 square feet, allowing franchisees to enter markets with a more efficient footprint while maintaining the quality and authenticity of the Russo's brand.

According to the company's franchise disclosure information, Russo's franchised restaurants have demonstrated average unit volumes of approximately $1.1 million, subject to the representations and disclosures contained in the company's current Franchise Disclosure Document.

The company also works with third-party financing resources for qualified franchise candidates and offers special franchise incentives and fee discounts for qualifying U.S. military veterans.

"We're looking for entrepreneurs who want to bring an authentic New York pizzeria and Italian kitchen to their communities," Russo said. "The Tempe opening is another example of how local franchise ownership can help us grow while preserving the quality and authenticity of the Russo's brand."

About Russo's New York Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen

Russo's New York Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen was founded by Chef Anthony Russo, whose Italian family traditions and New York upbringing inspired the concept.

The brand specializes in authentic New York-style pizza, fresh-made pasta and classic Italian cuisine prepared with premium ingredients and traditional recipes.

Russo's franchise opportunities are available in select markets throughout the United States and internationally.

Tempe Location
Russo's New York Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen
Franchise Owners: Kristina & Christian Alvarez
521 S. College Avenue
Tempe, Arizona

Media & Franchise Inquiries

Russo's New York Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen
Founder & CEO: Chef Anthony Russo
Franchise opportunities available throughout select U.S. and international markets.

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SOURCE Russo's New York Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen