Opens in a new tab

FRANCHISE RESALES

Buy a Sbarro Franchise

Sbarro is a quick-service Italian restaurant brand best known for New York-style pizza sold by the slice, alongside pasta, strombolis, salads, sandwiches and other Italian-American dishes. Founded in 1956 as a family salumeria in Brooklyn, it grew into a global food-court mainstay and today operates roughly 800 restaurants across 28 countries.

The model is brick-and-mortar and built around high-footfall sites: shopping malls, airports, casinos, travel plazas, universities, hospitals, military bases and, increasingly, convenience stores. Malls now account for around 60% of locations as the brand expands into non-traditional venues with a menu designed to cover breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner and late-night dayparts.

Sbarro is operated by Sbarro Franchise Co., LLC from its headquarters in Columbus, Ohio, under CEO J. David Karam. The brand moved into private-equity ownership in 2007 and restructured through two bankruptcies before returning to expansion; today more than half of its restaurants sit outside the United States.

Latest Resales

  • There are currently no Sbarro resales available
Register your interest

Why buy a Sbarro Franchise?

Buying a Sbarro franchise means operating a globally recognised name with nearly 70 years of brand equity and a simple, slice-led menu that travels across many venue types. The brand has returned to strong unit growth, opening 114 restaurants worldwide in 2024 and adding formats well beyond the traditional mall.

The flexible footprint, spanning food courts, convenience stores, travel centres and entertainment venues, lets operators match the format to local demand, while a five-daypart menu supports multiple sales windows and digital ordering now drives a meaningful share of sales at many units. Franchisees plug into an established supply chain, recognised branding and proven operating systems rather than building an independent pizza concept from scratch.

Sbarro Franchise Costs & Information

Based on 2025 data reported in the 2026 FDD

  • Brand Profile

    • Year Founded

      1956

    • Franchising Since

      1977

    • New Startup Cost

      $211,900 – $931,000

    • Avg. Resale Price

      Contact us for details

  • Franchise Fees

    • Initial franchise Fee

      $30,000

      for new territories

    • Transfer Fee

      $3,500

      greater of $3,500 or 10% of then-current Initial Franchise Fee

    • Royalty Fee

      5–7%

      of Gross Revenues

    • Marketing Fee

      2%

      of Gross Revenues

  • Unit Performance

    • Total Units *

      371

    • New Units Opened *

      33

    • Units Transferred *

      7

    • Avg. Unit revenue *

      Not Disclosed

    * Based on 2025 data reported in the 2026 FDD

Sbarro – Additional  Information

  1. Training & Support

    Sbarro's initial training is mandatory and runs approximately four weeks, delivered on the job at an operating Sbarro restaurant and covering around 120 hours; the franchisor can require up to four trainees, one of whom must be the restaurant's full-time manager. Units run on the brand's POS and online-ordering systems, with ongoing operational guidance and marketing support backed by an established supply chain. Buyers of an existing Sbarro unit should confirm what transfer training is provided to incoming owners and managers and what POS and digital-ordering access carries over at handover.

  2. Ideal Owner

    Sbarro suits hands-on, operations-led owners comfortable running a high-volume foodservice site. The model rewards strong management of staff, food cost, hygiene and consistency across busy dayparts, and prior quick-service or restaurant experience is valuable given the pace and complexity. The franchisor requires an on-premises operating principal who completes training and devotes full time to the restaurant, so it favours owners who will be present in the business or who can install a trained, accountable manager rather than absentee investors.

  3. Recognition & Awards

    Sbarro has been certified a Great Place to Work for three consecutive years and named a QSR Best Brand to Work For in two straight years, and the brand was earlier ranked the No. 1 quick-service restaurant in the Italian segment by Entrepreneur. With roughly 800 restaurants across 28 countries and a heritage dating to 1956, it carries strong global recognition in pizza-by-the-slice. For resale buyers, brand-level recognition should be weighed alongside the specific location's local reviews, foot traffic and reputation.

  4. Industry / Market

    The US pizza restaurant sector generates roughly $45 billion in annual sales and is one of the largest and most resilient quick-service categories, supported by value-led dining, convenience and the rapid growth of digital ordering and delivery. Slice-led, grab-and-go formats suit high-traffic settings such as airports, travel plazas, universities and convenience stores, where Sbarro increasingly operates. For resale buyers, performance depends heavily on a site's footfall, so local traffic patterns matter as much as category demand.

Learn more about
how to own a Sbarro franchise resale

Please fill out the form below and a Franchise Flippers expert will be in touch with you shortly.

The Franchise Brand Index

This page is part of Franchise Flippers’ independent franchise Index, designed as an educational resource to help potential buyers explore the franchise resale market and compare brands.

Trademark & Affiliation Disclaimer

This website is an independent, informational resource. All trademarks, logos, and brand names displayed are the property of their respective owners and are used solely for identification and educational purposes. Their use does not imply any affiliation with, endorsement by, or sponsorship from the respective trademark holders.