Ryan Rose: CEO of Romeo’s Pizza

Ryan Rose: CEO of Romeo’s Pizza

In 2013, Ryan invested in his first franchising opportunity, Romeo’s Pizza, as a single unit franchisee. He went on to acquire two more locations in 2014. After his success, with three Romeo’s Pizza franchises, combined with his business background, the founder of Romeo’s asked him to become CEO of the brand.

Ryan earned his undergraduate degree in Finance and Economics from Ohio University. Following that, he earned his Masters Degree in Applied Economics from Ohio University.

After completion, he began his career in the financial services industry and spent 14 years assisting entrepreneurs and companies, with business strategy, business development, and financing needs. He has worked in the fields of managed assets, capital-based lending, real estate finance, executive benefits, corporate financial services, group benefits, business continuity planning and business exit planning.

In 2013, Ryan invested in his first franchising opportunity, Romeo’s Pizza, as a single unit franchisee. He went on to acquire two more locations in 2014. After his success, with three Romeo’s Pizza franchises, combined with his business background, the founder of Romeo’s asked him to become CEO of the brand.

In January 2015, he became CEO of Romeo’s Pizza, and began the brand transformation. In October 2016, he along with one silent partner acquired the founder’s full interest in Romeo’s Pizza and started the journey to growing Romeo’s Pizza into an emerging franchise brand. Romeo’s now has 46 operating locations in 5 states. It also has over 150 units sold and in development schedule domestically and internationally. The goal is to be at 200+ in units open and operating within 5 years.

In August of 2017, Ryan was one of the founding principals of Apex Franchise Development Group. Apex was founded to assist smaller brand concepts complete the due diligence to find out if they had the capacity to franchise. Apex’ biggest success has been the launch of VIO Med Spa. Apex contracted with VIO in 2018, and after organizing the investment of one of the Orange Theory Fitness founders, Apex became an equity stakeholder in VIO in January 2019. Since then, VIO has grown to 9 open locations, with over 90 more locations sold and in development schedule. Our goal is to become an industry leader in Med Spas by offering boutique services with concierge level customer service.

In May 2018, Ryan and his wife Mia, started an independent restaurant in their hometown of Medina, Ohio. It has experienced great success in its first three years and has withstood the devastating impact of the pandemic on dine in restaurants.

In June 2019, Ryan and a partner, began American Salon Group. ASG is a franchisee of Regis Corporation, the large hair care service brand in the United States. ASG owns and operates 93 hair salons in a 5-state area and is continuing to acquire more as the opportunity presents itself.

Ryan is active in many boards and community initiatives including Board of Directors for the Ohio Restaurant Association, member of the National Restaurant Association, member of the International Franchise Association, and a few more.

Visit Romeo's Pizza: HERE

Listen the CEOs You Should Know podcast with Ryan Rose below.