LaRosa's Pizzeria

LaRosa's Pizzeria
privately held company
Industry Restaurant
Founded Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. (1954 (1954))
Founder Buddy LaRosa
Headquarters Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
Number of locations

65 stores (2014)

67 stores (2015)
Area served
 Greater Cincinnati, Greater Dayton
Key people
 Donald "Buddy" LaRosa (Founder, Chairman Emeritus)
Michael LaRosa (CEO
Mark LaRosa President, Chief Culinary Officer),
T.D. Hughes
(Chairman of the Board)
Products Pizza, pasta, other Italian-American cuisine (over 40 items)[1]
Revenue Increase US$132,400,000 (2007)[2]
Website larosas.com

LaRosa's Pizzeria is a chain of pizzerias serving neighborhoods throughout the Cincinnati, Greater Dayton, central Ohio, Northern Kentucky, Southeast Indiana and central Tennessee areas. It was founded in 1954 by Donald "Buddy" LaRosa, along with partners Richard "Muzzie" Minella, Mike Soldano and Frank "Head" Serraino. Originally called Papa Gino's, LaRosa later bought out his partners, and changed the name to LaRosa's.

In addition to serving guests in its pizzerias, LaRosa's is also the exclusive pizza served at the Kings Island and Coney Island amusement parks, the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, Riverbend Music Center, the EJ Nutter Center at Wright State University, Paul Brown Stadium (home of the Cincinnati Bengals) and Great American Ballpark (home of the Cincinnati Reds).

History

Beginning with just one location on Boudinot Avenue in the Westwood area of Cincinnati, the family and franchise owners now operate more than 60 pizzerias,[1][3] with total annual sales of over $130 million.

In 1991, LaRosa's invested heavily in the implementation and marketing of a single number call distribution center for delivery and carry out orders. Its phone number is prominently featured in advertising. LaRosa's is very popular in Greater Cincinnati, exceeding Domino's, Donatos Pizza, Pizza Hut and Papa John's in consumer reported purchase frequency.

The third generation of the LaRosa family now help run the business and have been very active in sponsoring local youth sports programs.[4] On February 27, 2008, Michael Larosa became CEO of LaRosa's, Inc. T.D. Hughes (CEO, LaRosa's 1990-2007) remains the Chairman of the Board.[5]

LaRosa's signature pizza is a thin crust variety made with a distinctive thick, sweet sauce (a family recipe created by Buddy's Aunt Dena) [6]and topped with provolone cheese. Their menu also includes subs or "hoagys" with a variety of fillings and condiments, as well as calzones, salads, and pastas. LaRosa's also offers its pasta sauce and other selections from its menu at many Cincinnati grocery stores.

Buddy Cards

On July 14, 1991 Scott "Big Dog" Steidel went to the original location on Boudinot and demanded a meeting with Buddy to personally thank him for everything he had done for Lower Price Hill over the years. Buddy was so touched by the gesture that he rewarded Scott with a weeks worth of free pizza and said, "Thanks for being my buddy." This gave LaRosa's the idea for the Buddy Card.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Eckberg, John (2008-10-14). "LaRosa's holding its own". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Gannett Company. Retrieved 2008-10-15.
  2. ↑ "DataCenter: Deloitte Cincinnati USA 100 - Cincinnati.Com". Dunes.cincinnati.com. Retrieved 2013-03-03.
  3. ↑ LaRosa's locations
  4. ↑ LaRosa's MVP
  5. ↑ "LaRosa's names Michael LaRosa CEO". 2008-03-24.
  6. ↑ Radel, Cliff (2014-04-16). "60 years with Buddy". Cincinnati Enquirer.
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