Rodd Salvatore first encountered Riko’s Pizza co-founder Rico Imbrogno about 13 years ago at a Little League event in Stamford. Salvatore, who was attending with his 9-year-old son, remembers when Imbrogno arrived with 50 pizzas, causing an excited frenzy among the kids.
“That day, I just became hooked on the brand and how they do things,” Salvatore said. “My family has loved it ever since.”
Now, Salvatore is part of the Riko’s franchise. He and four partners—Mike Orgera, Rob Glander, Leo Socci, and Donny Panapada—recently celebrated the opening of a Riko’s Pizza restaurant and sports bar in Westport.
“We want to continue the tradition of being a place where family and friends can gather, enjoy great food, and watch sports,” Salvatore explained. “We aim to create the same kind of lasting memories for others that my kids experienced in Stamford.”
The new location at 60 Charles St., which was previously home to Mystic Market and the Arrow restaurant, is described by Salvatore as an ideal spot. It is conveniently located near Interstate 95’s Exit 17 and Metro North’s Westport station.
The restaurant serves 13-inch pizzas with thin crusts, including a hot oil pizza. The Westport location features seating for about 145 people, 36 parking spots, six 65-inch televisions behind the bar, and a selection of signature cocktails.
State and local officials, including Matthew Mandell, executive director of the Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce, attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony to welcome Riko’s to the Saugatuck area.
“We have the best restaurant scene in the county, if not the state, and Riko’s will definitely add to it,” Mandell said.
First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker expressed her excitement about the opening. “The space is great, and the food is even better,” she said in an email. “Riko’s has a great reputation for being community-focused, and I know they will be a fantastic addition to our vibrant dining scene.”
With the opening of the Westport location, Riko’s now has about a dozen locations along the East Coast, including six in Connecticut, such as those in Stamford, Fairfield, Norwalk, and Darien.
“It’s taken on a life of its own,” Imbrogno said.
The five partners behind the Westport restaurant have been friends and customers for years. They come from various industries, including manufacturing, plumbing, construction, and public safety.
“We’re used to working in service businesses, and we’re bringing that same mindset to Riko’s,” Salvatore said. “It felt like the right time in our lives to take on something like this.”
Before the grand opening, Riko’s hosted a “community festival” at Luciano Park, across the street from the new restaurant.
“The reception from the town has been amazing,” Salvatore said.
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