With almost 60 years in operation, Rosati’s Pizza is one of the oldest surviving family pizza restaurant businesses in the United States.
In 1927, Saverio Rosati opened a restaurant on Pulaski and Madison in Chicago, right next to the Marbro Theater. Soon after, the restaurant became a favorite watering hole for the old Chicago society and Windy City politicians. On any given night you might spot Jack Haley, famous for his role as the “Tin Man” in The Wizard of Oz enjoying a hearty helping of Saverio’s homemade Italian specialties or contrary to popular belief, notorious gangster, Al Capone and his entourage could be spotted sharing a heaping dish of pasta with his so called “nemesis”, Eliot Ness.
When Saverio retired, his sons moved to the suburbs with a new and timely concept. The year was 1964 and pizza was now a popular trend. Saverio’s sons Dick, Ron and Al Rosati opened the first Rosati’s Pizza in the Illinois suburb, Mount Prospect. By 1978, a total of ten Rosati family members owned carryout pizzerias.
Now with the Rosati name firmly established in the Chicago suburbs, generations of mid-westerners have grown up with the brand and continue to spread its legend to every corner of the country. Transplanted Chicagoans all over the map have helped to bring their favorite pizzeria franchise to 250+ locations across the country.
