
Sbarro
Food & Beverage · Quick-Service Restaurants
- Active units
- 237
Franchised, year-end 2025
About Sbarro
Sbarro Pizza is an American chain of pizzerias that specializes in New York-style pizza. It was founded in 1956 by Gennaro and Carmela Sbarro in Brooklyn, New York. Originally a salumeria (Italian grocery store), the Sbarros expanded their offering to include pizza by the slice to cater to the growing demand. The concept was a success, and Sbarro Pizza quickly gained popularity among locals and tourists alike. The company's headquarters is located in Columbus, Ohio, United States. From here, they oversee their operations across the country and around the world. Sbarro Pizza's main products include a variety of pizzas such as pepperoni, margherita, and supreme, as well as pasta dishes like spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna, and baked ziti. They also offer a selection of salads and breadsticks to complement their main offerings. In addition to their dine-in and take-out services, Sbarro Pizza also provides catering services for events and parties. On a global scale, Sbarro Pizza has expanded its reach and currently operates in more than 40 countries. They have established franchise partnerships in various countries, including China, India, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates. These partnerships have allowed them to localize their offerings while maintaining the core flavors and quality that Sbarro Pizza is known for. Sbarro Pizza has achieved a strong market position globally. Although exact sales figures are not publicly available, Sbarro Pizza is considered one of the largest pizza chains in the world. It competes with other notable brands such as Domino's Pizza, Pizza Hut, and Papa John's. In terms of major events, Sbarro Pizza faced some financial challenges in recent years. In 2014, the company filed for bankruptcy due to declining sales and increased debt. However, they emerged from bankruptcy in 2015 with a new management team and a renewed focus on improving their business operations. As of the latest available information, Sbarro Pizza continues to operate worldwide and has taken steps to enhance their menu offerings and customer experience. They remain a popular choice for pizza lovers seeking New York-style pizza both in the United States and internationally.
Key terms
- Franchise fee
$30k
- Brand fund
2.0% of Net Sales
- Local advertising
1.0% of Net Sales
- Footprint
750 – 2,200 sq ft
- Development Agreement
$90k
- Veteran discount
Not offered
Brand Percentile Rankings
Rankings compare brands in the same operating year. Fee and investment figures come from the FDD (2026 filing).
Growth
- Total locations237
Franchised units open at year-end
- New openings33
Gross new units opened during the calendar year
- 1-year unit growth rate7.7%
Net unit growth versus prior year
- 3-year unit CAGR3.3%
Compound annual growth rate of unit count over the trailing 3 years
- Unit growth ratio2.4×
Cumulative opens / closures through year-end
Unit economics
- Annual unit volume (Median)—
Per FDD Item 19 disclosure
- Annual unit volume (25th percentile)$542k
Sales exclude revenue taxes collected and remitted.
- Annual unit volume (75th percentile)$966k
Sales exclude revenue taxes collected and remitted.
- 1-year Median AUV growth rate—
Year-over-year change in median AUV
- Store-level EBITDA Margin—
Median unit-level EBITDA / AUV
Investment profile
- Estimated initial investment$571k
Midpoint of estimated initial investment range
↓ Lower is better - Time to open—
Midpoint of average time from agreement to opening
- Royalty rate—
Percent of net sales paid to the franchisor
- Sales-to-investment ratio—
Median AUV / estimated initial investment midpoint
- Cash-on-cash returns—
Median unit-level EBITDA / estimated initial investment midpoint. Steady-state estimate; year 1 returns will be lower as the unit ramps to median volumes.
Franchisee healthLocked
- Unit closure ratio
- Transfer vs. closure ratio
- Percent multi-unit franchisees
- Litigation rate
- EBITDA multiple on sales & transfers
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Sources
Financial and operating figures are sourced from the brand's Franchise Disclosure Documents. Brand percentile rankings are based on comparisons to other brands that include the same metrics in their Franchise Disclosure Documents.