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In 1959, Philadelphia policeman Joseph Santucci and his wife Philomena opened a small shop on “O” Street in Juniata Park and quietly changed the shape of the city’s pizza forever. Their invention – a square pie with sauce on top of the cheese – quickly became a beloved Philly staple. And that neighborhood restaurant became a multigenerational legacy built on craft, consistency & family pride.
More than 60 years later, Santucci’s Pizza & Italian Kitchen is still family-operated & still rooted in the values Joseph and Philomena believed in: high-quality food, warm hospitality & community. Under the leadership of second-, third-, and now fourth-generation family members, the brand remains true to its heritage while embracing modern growth. Their iconic square pizza has earned “Philly’s Best Pizza” from Philadelphia Magazine and induction into the Pizza Today Hall of Fame.
Today, Santucci’s operates 13 regional locations, with more in development locally and nationally. “We’re in hyper-growth mode,” says Alicia Santucci, Owner/President of Santucci’s Original Square Pizza and SOSP Franchise Company, “bringing the deliciousness of Santucci’s to more people & more communities.”
That growth is anchored in innovation. The team has elevated the brand’s look and feel, launched a mobile app (Google, Apple), redesigned the website, strengthened digital hospitality, and introduced beer, wine, and cocktails in select quick-service locations. “We’re always striving to remove friction from the customer journey,” Alicia says. “From scanning a QR code to order tableside to ensuring consistent quality across every store – we want every guest to feel taken care of.”
At the same time, Santucci’s remains deeply connected to its roots. Regulars share stories about visiting the original location with their parents and grandparents, now bringing their own kids to new locations. “It’s a legacy brand,” she says. “But it’s also a brand that continues to innovate and push boundaries.”
One of the fastest-growing areas is catering, both on-premise & off-premise. “We offer private dining options for parties of all sizes,” says Co-Owner Frank Santucci Jr. “And our catering menu goes far beyond pizza – pastas, sandwiches, Italian entrées, salads, hand-breaded tenders, wings, flatbreads, strombolis, burgers & desserts like cannoli & fresh-baked cookies.”
As the business scales, the franchise opportunity is attracting entrepreneurs, investors & second-act career changers. “Our franchise owners represent diverse cultures and backgrounds,” Alicia says. “We look for proactive, motivated people who are passionate about hospitality. As we expand beyond the tri-state area, I’m excited to bring our family recipes to new communities. That’s what drives me every day.”
Behind the scenes, strong partnerships make this growth possible – including the company’s financing relationship with Hyperion Bank. “Working with Jennifer (Jennifer Gardella) at Hyperion has taken so much stress off our plate,” Alicia says. “She’s organized, detailed, professional – and exactly the kind of partner we need as we support new franchisees, including as the preferred lender for all new franchisees. It’s been a delight working with her.”
Whether you’re craving a slice, looking for a catered celebration or exploring franchise ownership, Santucci’s remains what it has always been: a proud Philadelphia original, one square slice at a time.
Santucci’s opens its University City location this week, with Moorestown, NJ, coming online soon. Hungry? Order now – being sure to leverage the Pizza Perks Rewards Program – or dig into franchise opportunities.
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