Sarpino’s Pizzeria USA Franchise Overview

About Sarpino’s Pizzeria USA

Sarpino’s Pizzeria is a food delivery concept offering large regular and plant-based menus. Italian-inspired pizzas, calzones, sandwiches, pastas, salads and more are available for carryout or delivery. Sarpino's uses only top-quality ingredients and makes almost everything from scratch daily. Sarpino's — real Italian flavor made with love and care.

Franchise History

Sarpino’s Pizzeria was founded in 2000 by Gerry Koutougos in Victoria, British Columbia. A 40-year restaurant industry veteran, Koutougos was inspired by a family vacation to Italy in 1999 where he was introduced to a small, family-run restaurant overseen by a local woman named Sarpina. Awed by her food, he volunteered to work in her kitchen for free for two weeks if she would teach him how to cook authentic Italian cuisine. The secrets she taught him have been part of the Sarpino’s Pizzeria recipe ever since. They include hand-kneaded dough which is allowed to proof three times to fully develop its flavor and texture; sauce made from ripe tomatoes and a secret, authentic mix of Italian herbs and spices, the recipe for which was given to Koutougos while he was in Italy; and a unique gourmet cheese blend that includes fresh whole-milk mozzarella and Edam cheese from LaGrander’s Hillside Dairy in Wisconsin. Edam, an aged cheese, gives Sarpino’s pizza its golden and warm appearance and unique flavor. Koutougos opened the first Sarpino’s restaurant in Victoria, British Columbia, in 2001 and began franchising shortly thereafter. The first U.S. location opened in 2003 in Phoenix, Ariz. Two years later, in 2005, the original Area Franchisor for IL took over U.S. operations of the brand.