Riko’s Pizza Serves Up Turnkey Opportunity for Franchise Success
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Riko’s Pizza Serves Up Turnkey Opportunity for Franchise Success

Riko’s Pizza Serves Up Turnkey Opportunity for Franchise Success

Armed with a fresh focus and thoughtful approach to operations, Riko’s Thin Crust Pizza is set to spread the love for its regional brand with a competitive edge built on simplicity.

The Stamford, Connecticut-based chain that has defined thin crust pizza in Fairfield County for a decade is primed for national franchise growth, fine-tuned as a uniquely flexible, turnkey pizzeria. 

Founders Rico Imbrogno and Luigi Cardillo aim to keep things simple and do them the best they can be done.

“We like to say, ‘It’s a good place to be,’” says Imbrogno, the brand’s namesake. “And that translates into “It’s a good place to be” all ‘round: a good place to eat, a good place to work, and a good place to own.”

Since opening Riko’s first location in 2011, the family-centric enterprise has evolved and adapted to the changing pizza industry, local real estate markets, and consumers’ lifestyles with a focused menu, high-tech ovens, and no fail processes.  

Riko’s menu is a study in simplicity and a labor of love. The restaurant’s signature six-slice thin crust pizza, made from a 70-year old recipe, tops a carefully crafted lineup that includes salads and chicken wings. 

Franchise owners and guests alike are assured of consistency with every thin crust pie. The streamlined menu uses the highest quality ingredients, perfected, and prepared with efficiently-developed proprietary cooking systems that optimize labor costs. Cardillo estimates Riko’s high-tech ovens save 80 to 100 hours of weekly time previously spent in the kitchen—time that is now well spent focused on guest service. 

 “We don’t need a traditional pizza maker; as a result, any member of our staff can produce the product, and everyone is easily cross-trained,” adds Cardillo. “The technology gives us incredible consistency that allows our pizzas to come out the same every time.”

Riko’s efficient operations are bolstered by a sophisticated POS system that covers every aspect of running the day-to-day franchise business, including scheduling, inventory, online ordering, and loyalty management. Franchisees can access more than 150 reports through the system’s mobile platform. 

“Riko’s is a forward-thinking brand,” says Franchise Growth Solutions founder Gary Occhiogrosso, who has partnered with Riko’s to expand from four locations to 15 restaurants by 2021.  The franchise offers two proven operating models unique to franchising—a full-service, casual restaurant with a full bar, table service, and family-style dining and the fast-casual model; take-out, dine-in, and delivery. The broad offering and flexible footprints suits diverse real estate and markets.

A franchise veteran, Occhiogrosso says Riko’s roadmap for franchise success is designed to increase sales, reduce costs, and boost the bottom line. The simplicity and ease of operations hold opportunity for owners with or without previous restaurant business experience.

“Nothing is left for chance,” Occhiogrosso says. “They aren’t going to ask franchisees to test ideas. Every system – whether we are talking about the POS, menu, ovens, marketing, or training, everything has been highly developed and completely thought through before any franchisee will get it. And when you build a business that way, customers will keep coming back, and you have happy franchisees.”

While Riko’s has refined and tweaked its business model, the brand retains its core philosophy; long-standing esteem for family and relationships, quality food, and warm hospitality. 

“Our respect for guests, our employees, and our community is the cornerstone of our success,” Cardillo says.

Ready to discover your franchise opportunities with the Riko’s family? Learn more at https://rikosfranchise.com/.

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Published: June 25th, 2019

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