Sbarro was started as a family grocery store in 1956.  This begun in Brooklyn, New York and was soon know for authentic Italian fare that included homemade mozzarella, imported cheeses, sausages, and salami.  This lead to the opening of many more locations throughout New Your City and in 1967 they opened the first mall-based restaurants in the Kings Plaza Shopping Center in Brooklyn.  This was the beginning of the modern Sbarro concept.  There are over 1,000 Sbarro locations across the United States mainly found in shopping malls and in early 2007 Sbarro was acquired by MidOcean Partners and is still privately owned.

The menu features hand tossed dough that is made fresh daily and Sbarro is most well-known for topping their pizza with the finest ingredients and cheeses.  They also serve many types of pastas, Italian entrees, beverages, side items, and even desserts.  They are mainly found in shopping malls and in food courts, but there are a few locations found in other types of shopping centers.  They sell pizza by the slice and also by the pie and they still feature many of the same recipes that the first Sbarro location served.

Sbarro offers restaurant franchising opportunities for those with a commitment to business and that are willing to actively be involved in the day to day operations.  They approve applicants based on the overall experience, financial qualifications, and the proven track record they have in business.  They charge an initial royalty fee that ranges from $15,000 to $35,000 depending on the size and location.  They also charge 7% of the monthly gross revenues for new franchised restaurants and 10% for new licensed concessions.  The total start up investments will range from $55,000 to $173,000 and up depending on the location.  They require a minimum net worth of $300,000 with at least half being liquid assets per unit.