Sbarro

SBARRO, LLC
	File:Sbarro logo.svg Logo since 2015
Company type	Private
Industry	Fast food restaurant
Founded	1 January 1956; 70 years ago in Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Founder	Gennaro Sbarro, Carmela Sbarro
Headquarters	Columbus, Ohio, United States
Area served	Worldwide (28 countries)
Key people	J. David Karam (CEO and President)
Products	New York–style pizza, Italian-American cuisine (pizza, pasta, salads)
Website	www.sbarro.com

SBARRO, LLC (presented in all caps) is a United States-based fast food restaurant chain known for its specialization in New York–style pizza served by the slice, alongside a variety of Italian-American cuisine. Established in 1956 by Gennaro and Carmela Sbarro in Brooklyn, New York, the brand currently manages more than 600 outlets spanning 28 countries. Its locations are predominantly found in shopping malls, airport terminals, college campuses, and other bustling venues such as The Pentagon and U.S. naval installations.

In 2011, QSR Magazine ranked Sbarro 15th among U.S.-based quick-service and fast-casual chains for foreign sales. Additionally, in 2008, Entrepreneur magazine recognized it as the leading Quick Service Restaurant within the Italian food category. Despite these accolades, the chain has encountered criticism over its food quality, a concern often associated with its two bankruptcy proceedings.

Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Sbarro generated $185 million in domestic revenue (excluding Canadian operations) during 2021. The company’s strategy centers on operating in high-traffic areas and providing fast Italian-American dishes such as pizza, pasta, and salads. Leading the company is CEO and President J. David Karam, who drives initiatives aimed at sustaining growth and expanding market presence.

20th century

The origins of Sbarro trace back to 1956 when Italian immigrants from Naples, Gennaro and Carmela Sbarro, together with their three sons, launched their first salumeria—an Italian deli—in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. This initial establishment gained acclaim for offering authentic Italian fare but ceased operations in 2004.

Capitalizing on this foundation, Sbarro broadened its footprint across the New York City metropolitan region. The brand inaugurated its first mall-based outlet in 1970 at Brooklyn’s Kings Plaza Shopping Center. Among its notable locations were two high-traffic restaurants situated within the World Trade Center complex until their destruction during the September 11 attacks in 2001.

Expanding internationally, Sbarro entered the Philippine market in 1990 and maintains a presence there with 56 stores as of 2023.

21st century

In early 2007, private equity firm MidOcean Partners acquired ownership of Sbarro. On April 4, 2011, facing declining sales and intensifying competition, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection while holding the position of the fifth-largest pizza chain in the U.S.—marking it as the third major pizza brand to seek bankruptcy within a twelve-month span.

Following restructuring efforts and closure of 25 outlets, Sbarro emerged from bankruptcy by November 2011. James J. Greco assumed the role of CEO in January 2012 to spearhead a turnaround plan that emphasized rebranding efforts, recipe enhancements, and a focus on fresh ingredients.

The company pursued growth through international franchising agreements, including a partnership with Upper Crust Foods Pvt. Ltd., aimed at expanding restaurant presence in Maharashtra, India. By 2015, plans were underway to increase Indian locations from 17 to 50 within two years.

J. David Karam took over as CEO in March 2013; however, Sbarro filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection again in March 2014. After successfully exiting bankruptcy in June 2014 under a court-sanctioned reorganization plan, the company shuttered 182 locations and relocated its headquarters from New York City to Columbus, Ohio.

In January 2015, Sbarro introduced a refreshed logo featuring a stylized pizza slice accompanied by "NYC.1956," paying homage to its Brooklyn roots.

By 2016, the number of U.S. outlets had declined to 318—less than half of what it was over ten years earlier—largely due to diminishing mall food court traffic and evolving consumer dietary habits that affected both market share and financial results.

Expansion into the UK Market

On November 5, 2020, Sbarro formed a partnership with the UK retail conglomerate EG Group to make its debut in the United Kingdom, opening its initial outlet within EG’s Armada site located in Birmingham, West Midlands. By June 2022, Sbarro had established 15 outlets across the UK, with seven situated in the North West area, and announced intentions to continue expanding throughout the remainder of 2022. Additionally, the brand collaborated with Asda, while EG Group’s locations were rebranded as EG On the Move, thereby strengthening Sbarro’s footprint within convenience store settings.

Corporate stance on the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine

Amid the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Sbarro opted to maintain its operations in Russia. This decision placed the company in Yale University’s "Digging In" category, which identifies firms that resist calls to cease or scale back activities. Consequently, Sbarro received the lowest evaluation for persisting with business in Russia despite widespread corporate exits.

Pizza Cucinova

In October 2013, Sbarro introduced Pizza Cucinova, a fast-casual dining concept specializing in made-to-order Neapolitan-style pizzas cooked in woodstone ovens within three minutes. The brand expanded into markets in Ohio and Texas but ultimately shuttered all locations by 2020 due to challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.

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