Lawrence Longo, CEO of Finest Buddy Hospitality, particulars how Prince Avenue Pizza is increasing into new markets with out dropping what made the model particular.
Prince Avenue Pizza has constructed a cult following that features a few of Hollywood’s greatest names, however the firm says the important thing to taking its well-known New York slices nationwide is staying true to the unique.
The New York Metropolis-born model has expanded from its authentic SoHo store to roughly 20 areas throughout the U.S. and Canada, with dad or mum firm Finest Buddy Hospitality CEO Lawrence Longo pointing to sturdy demand and a relentless concentrate on product high quality as drivers of that development.
“I believe it’s vital to remain near the ideas that made it particular within the first place,” Longo instructed FOX Enterprise. “And that comes all the way down to the standard of the product.”
That dedication extends to the dough. Longo mentioned Prince Avenue makes use of a New York WaterMaker system to duplicate the traits of New York Metropolis water at its areas exterior the Massive Apple.
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Finest Buddy Hospitality CEO Lawrence Longo mentioned demand and a relentless concentrate on high quality have fueled Prince Avenue Pizza’s enlargement. (FOX Enterprise)
“Each time we signal a brand new lease, we get the water from that metropolis, and we ship it to the lab, they usually create a filtration system that turns our water into New York Metropolis water,” he mentioned.
The aim is to make the pizza really feel as shut as attainable to the unique Prince Avenue store, in accordance with Longo.
“The concept is that whenever you stroll right into a Prince Avenue Pizza, you must really feel such as you walked right into a pizzeria in New York Metropolis,” Longo mentioned.
Identified for its Sicilian-style sq. pies and pepperoni-loaded slices, Prince Avenue sees room for additional enlargement.
“Sicilian-style pizza hasn’t been actually carried out proper at scale throughout America,” he mentioned.
The model has additionally attracted an extended checklist of superstar followers, together with Adam Sandler, who Longo mentioned has visited areas in New York, Malibu and West Hollywood.
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Individuals eat at tables exterior Prince Avenue Pizza on June 25, 2023, in New York Metropolis. Identified for its Sicilian-style sq. pies and pepperoni-loaded slices, the chain sees room for additional enlargement. (Gary Hershorn/Getty Pictures)
Nonetheless, Longo mentioned that well-known clients don’t obtain particular remedy.
“Whether or not you’re a celeb or only a common buyer, we love everyone,” he mentioned.
Prince Avenue is now centered on constructing a bigger nationwide footprint. Longo mentioned he’s “handpicking among the finest operators round America” with the aim of turning into the nation’s main Sicilian pizza model.
The corporate can also be increasing past eating places.
Longo created “Delivering Happiness,” a video sequence starring actor Nick Turturro as a pizza supply driver visiting friends together with Dana White, Alex Rodriguez, Bert Kreischer and Ice-T. The challenge has since expanded by means of TikTok Radio and iHeartMedia, he mentioned.
“We’re turning into a media firm in a means,” Longo mentioned.
Prince Avenue has additionally leaned into leisure partnerships, together with a Disney collaboration that recreated Little Nero’s Pizza from “Residence Alone” at choose areas. The marketing campaign earned a Clio Award.
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A view of Prince Avenue Pizza on October 18, 2025, in New York Metropolis. The model has additionally attracted an extended checklist of superstar followers, together with Adam Sandler. (Rob Kim/Getty Pictures for NYCWFF)
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Regardless of these new ventures, Longo mentioned Prince Avenue’s development technique comes again to staying “true” to what made the unique SoHo store profitable.
“How do you scale a cult model?” he mentioned. “You actually keep true to what made it profitable within the first place.”
