1851

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rao?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=young-ones-to-watch-ryan-rao-chief-franchising-officer-for-romeos-pizza-2716796" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Ryan Rao</a> is the head of development for the Ohio-based chain <a href="https://www.romeospizza.com/franchise/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=young-ones-to-watch-ryan-rao-chief-franchising-officer-for-romeos-pizza-2716796" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Romeo’s Pizza</a>. In 2013, Rao’s father acquired a Romeo’s Pizza franchise along with a business partner, <a href="https://1851franchise.com/romeospizza/executive-qa-romeos-pizza-ceo-ryan-rose-2716196">Ryan Rose</a>. During that time, Rao started to learn about the Romeo’s brand and the ins and outs of franchising. In 2015, Rose ended up acquiring the brand, and Rao started in a franchise sales capacity for the corporate team.Today, Rao has helped grow the Romeo’s Pizza brand to 50 locations. Now, following a pandemic-fueled <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/12/business/pizza-delivery-covid.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=young-ones-to-watch-ryan-rao-chief-franchising-officer-for-romeos-pizza-2716796" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">boom</a> in the pizza delivery segment, Rao is spearheading Romeo Pizza’s <a href="https://1851franchise.com/romeospizza/why-romeos-pizza-is-franchisings-next-pizza-behemoth-2716188#featured">mission</a> to expand its footprint to 60–65 open stores by the end of the year.&nbsp;When it comes to the advice Rao has for young up-and-comers just entering the franchising industry, he says it is all about finding great mentors.“I’ve been fortunate enough to have quite a few mentors in franchising, some of whom started early with brands and helped develop 1,000-plus location systems,” said Rao. “No matter your profession, it is very important to seek those mentors out, ask questions and continue a dialogue in order to soak up all the information you can. You are only going to learn so much in your own role, so if you can enlist the help of those who have been there previously, it is a great starting point for anyone entering the industry.”Watch the full video interview above, or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HjePosuOXY&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=young-ones-to-watch-ryan-rao-chief-franchising-officer-for-romeos-pizza-2716796" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">click here to watch it on YouTube</a>.

Young Ones to Watch: Ryan Rao, Chief Franchising Officer for Romeo’s Pizza

1851 Franchise

The pizza franchise is growing faster than it ever has in its 20-year history, thanks in large part to Ryan Rao, the brand’s 29-year-old chief franchising officer. We caught up with Rao to learn more about his story, his insights and more.

young-ones-to-watch-ryan-rao-chief-franchising-officer-for-romeos-pizza

The Junkluggers

image of Lucy Mejia from Atlanta Georgia junkluggers franchisee owner mom

How This Stay-at-Home Mom Found Her Calling With The Junkluggers Franchise

lucy-mejia-junkluggers-franchise

image of the junkluggers franchise and a list of the top 5 reasons to purchase a junkluggers

Top 5 Reasons To Buy a Junkluggers Franchise in 2026

top-5-reasons-to-buy-a-junkluggers-franchise-2026

image of a junkluggers franchise owner franchisee standing in front of a company truck succesful

Junkluggers Franchisees Win the Fast-Growing, Eco-Focused Junk Removal Market With Mission, Momentum and a “Frictionless” System Built for Scale

the-junkluggers-franchise-opportunity

BIGGBY COFFEE

 BIGGBY® COFFEE Cracks Top 200 on Franchise Times Top 400, Climbing More Than 100 Spots in Four Years

biggby-coffee-cracks-top-200-on-franchise-times-top-400-climbing-more-than-100-spots-in-four-years

KidStrong Franchising, LLC

KidStrong Franchise - Sabrina Du - Steve Do - Tampa - 1851 Franchise

Why a KidStrong Franchise Fits This Family’s Next Chapter

kidstrong-franchise-tampa-steve-do-sabrina-du

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Design with government building & "Open for Business" sign against American flag backdrop

Government Reopens After 43-Day Shutdown, Bringing Relief to Small Businesses and Franchises

government-shutdown-ends-franchise-impact

As Starbucks and Dunkin’ Navigate a Changing Market, New Coffee Players Keep Gaining Ground

starbucks-dunkin-franchise-coffee-market-trends

Paris Baguette Welcomes Zac Sulma as New Chief Operating Officer

new-coo-zac-sulma

AI-related job cuts, October U.S. job cuts, American job cut record

AI-Fueled Layoffs Reshape the U.S. Job Market — And Highlight Franchising’s Resilience

ai-job-cuts-franchising-path-forward

Crunch Fitness Franchise - Sixth Street Minority Stake - CR Fitness - 1851 Franchise

Sixth Street Takes Minority Stake in CR Fitness, the Largest Crunch Fitness Franchisee

cr-fitness-crunch-fitness-sixth-street-investment

A Practical Playbook: Who To Call First When Franchising Your Business

franchising-your-business-who-to-call-first

The Ultimate Guide To Franchising Your Business: How To Build a Scalable, Sustainable Franchise Brand

the-ultimate-guide-to-franchising-your-business-how-to-build-a-scalable-sustainable-franchise-brand

Baker Tilly: Global Advisory, Tax and Assurance Firm Serving Diverse Industries

baker-tilly-global-advisory-tax-and-assurance-firm-serving-diverse-industries

The Ultimate Guide to Franchising Your Business — Phase 2: Creating the Franchise System — How to Build a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD)

the-ultimate-guide-to-franchising-your-business-phase-2-creating-the-franchise-system-how-to-build-a-franchise-disclosure-document-fdd

image of jerome hanway from right at home Las Cruces, New Mexico 1851 franchise franchisee spotlight

Jerome Hanway Is Building His Right at Home Franchise Around His Mission To Serve

Young Ones to Watch: Ryan Rao, Chief Franchising Officer for Romeo’s Pizza

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS