LaRosa's Pizzeria
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| Type | privately held company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. (1954) |
| Founder(s) | Buddy LaRosa |
| Headquarters | Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. |
| Number of locations | 65 stores (2011) |
| 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 |  US$132,400,000 (2007)[2] |
| Website | larosas.com |
LaRosa's Pizzeria is a chain of pizzerias serving neighborhoods throughout the Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, Southeast Indiana and Greater Dayton 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.
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.
LaRosa's signature pizza is a thin crust variety made with a distinctive thick, sweet sauce and topped with provolone cheese. LaRosa's also offers its pasta sauce and other selections from its menu at many Cincinnati grocery stores.
Its menu also includes subs or "hoagies" with a variety of fillings and condiments, such as mushroom sauce.
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.
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 Gardens, Riverbend Music Center, the EJ Nutter Center at Wright State University and the Great American Ballpark, home to the Cincinnati Reds.
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]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Eckberg, John (2008-10-14). "LaRosa's holding its own". The Cincinnati Enquirer (Gannett Company). http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20081014/BIZ01/310140033/. Retrieved 2008-10-15.
- ^ http://dunes.cincinnati.com/data/business/deloitte/?appSession=288132305202289&RecordID=65&PageID=3&PrevPageID=2&cpipage=3&CPIsortType=&CPIorderBy=
- ^ LaRosa's locations
- ^ LaRosa's MVP
- ^ "LaRosa's names Michael LaRosa CEO". 2008-03-24. http://dayton.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2008/03/24/daily5.html?surround=lfn.
