OUR HISTORY
A LETTER FROM BEN & ANTHONY SCOTTO:
The phrase “from our family to yours” represents Villa’s corporate identity. But what does it really mean? To us, it’s much more than a slogan. It expresses the warmth and daily commitment to quality upon which Villa Restaurant Group was founded.
The Villa brands are a family franchise. For over 5 decades, our immediate family has worked side-by-side with our extended “business family” to offer personalized food and service to our valued Guests. From the first day, our family’s name and our family’s future have depended upon the quality and consistency of our food and service.
That’s why we are so proud of our success. We’ve come a very long way, and our family still stands behind all of our businesses, products and concepts.
While it’s true that Villa Restaurant Group has expanded to include a large portfolio of brands, you can be assured that we will always take pride in being a company managed by one great, big family. What does all this mean to you? It means a more personal touch in food preparation, and a more family-oriented approach to supporting franchisees and helping them ensure the success of their families’ businesses and futures.
Proud of where we started, conscious of what got us to where we are today, mindful of the respect and regard that we owe to our guests and the partners who helped us thrive and grow … we will never lose sight of the values that started it all.
Sincerely,
Ben & Anthony Scotto
OUR HERITAGE: VILLA PIZZA
A NEW YORK ORIGINAL SINCE 1964®
What started in 1964 as a tiny pizzeria next to the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City has grown into an international organization with numerous QSR franchise concepts and six full-service concepts. From authentic New York pizza and classic Italian fare, to healthy salads and gourmet entrees, Villa Restaurant Group boasts an array of flavors to please just about every taste and every guest.
TIMELINE: HUMBLE BEGINNINGS, BRIGHT FUTURE.
Michele Scotto, founder of Villa Pizza, set out to realize his dream by adhering to the time-honored cooking processes and authentic recipes of the Old World. This principle, coupled with genuine hospitality and a strict devotion to preparing products with the freshest possible ingredients every day, would become the driving force behind Villa’s success.
VILLA opens up its first location in NYC on Broadway next door to the famous Ed Sullivan Theater!
September 17 1964
Our 1st NJ location opens in Edison!
1969
As the indoor shopping malls started … VILLA opens it’s first mall location in Rockaway, New Jersey.
1977
Pizza Today Magazine lists VILLA as 1st in the Fastest Growing Category!
1980
VILLA opens its 40th location.
1992
Our 1st airport location opens in Orlando International Airport.
1994
In 1996, VILLA opens its first international location in Michele’s homeland - Naples, Italy where we have continued to successfully grow.
1996
VILLA acquires Florida based Cozzoli’s Pizzeria adding roughly 30, mostly franchised locations to our store count.
1999
VILLA purchases Everything Yogurt Brands…and the basis for Green Leaf’s and Bananas begins. In addition, VILLA also acquired South Philly Steaks & Fries.
2003
Celebrating our 40th anniversary , VILLA opens our TIMES SQUARE FLAGSHIP LOCATION at the corner of 42nd Street and 8th Avenue in NYC.
2004
VILLA continues its growth into new venues opening several casino based locations, which remain an important part of our growth strategy.
2006
The birth of our Full Service division begins with the purchase of the Black Horse Tavern & Pub, Mackenzie’s Steakhouse, George & Martha’s, and Il Forno.
2007
VILLA opens at the Prudential Center Sports Arena in Newark, NJ and at the Sands Casino Resort in Bethlehem, PA where we operate nine unique brands across both Quick Service and Full Service divisions.
2009
VILLA continues to expand the Full Service Division with the purchase of The Office Beer Bar and Grill, adding seven prime locations to our group!
2011
VILLA continues to expand internationally with locations opening in five countries … UAE, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Egypt, and Colombia.
2012
Piattino Neighborhood Bistro opens in the former Mackenzie’s Steakhouse location spurring the creation of a dedicated full service division 40North, which takes its name from the common linear parallel of Naples, Italy and Morristown, NJ @ 40 degrees latitude.
2013
VILLA opens over 60 Villa Italian Kitchen locations…the most in any single year.
2014
VILLA opens its first food hall with the opening of the Arizona Mills Mall Food Hall where we operate nine unique brands.
2014
40North beings the complete rebranding of The Office Beer Bar & Grill restaurants to The Office Tavern Grill in Morristown, NJ, a two-level restaurant featuring over 40 Craft Beers on tap.
Summer 2014
Villa Enterprises celebrates its 50th Anniversary!
September 17, 2014
Villa Italian Kitchen is inducted into the Pizza Hall of Fame.
May 2015
South Philly Steaks & Fries changes its name and undergoes a full renovation, reopening as South Philly Cheesesteaks & Fries at Woodbury Commons in Central Valley, NY and Gloucester Premium Outlets in Blackwood, NJ. A new concept is announced, Tony + Benny’s, the next evolution in pizza!
August 2015
VILLA Enterprises Management officially rebrands itself to Villa Restaurant Group, to better align itself with its current portfolio mix, and future endeavors.
October 2015
VRG expands the Office Tavern Grill Brand opening its second location in Summit, NJ.
December 2015
VRG opens its fourth Food Hall, operating the food court at Orlando International Airport (MCO) Airside 2.
February 2016
VRG opens it second Piattino location in the heart of Summit, NJ.
January 2017
Villa Italian Kitchen joins the national craze and launches Pumpkin Spice Pizza, with notable appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live and Late Night with Seth Meyers, among many others.
October 2017
40North, our full-service division, acquired TOWN Bar + Kitchen in Morristown, NJ.
November 2018
Villa Italian kitchen was ranked #24 in Pizza Today’s ‘Top 100 Pizza Companies; and #26 in PMQ for the Top 50 Pizza Chains.
December 2018
VRG arrived at Terminal B of Newark Liberty International Airport with a new Tony + Benny’s location, continued our partnership with a new Salsarita’s location, and began a new partnership with Buddy Valastro, opening our first Carlo’s Bakery.
April 2019
Launched our loyalty program and app, Villa Rewards, in all our corporate Villa Italian Kitchen locations.
June 2019
40North arrived at Terminal B of Newark Liberty International Airport with our first full service franchise restaurant, Piattino: A Neighborhood Bistro.
July 2019
40North opened its fourth Office Tavern Grill location in East Hanover, NJ. In addition, our 40North Rewards loyalty program and app launched this month.
January 2020