Pizza Capers founder Anthony Russo joins Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers

This comes as the Italian fast-casual brand plans to expand to 20 restaurants by 2026.

Pizza Capers founder Anthony Russo will join Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers, 11 years after selling his business.

Together with Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers founders Ben Cleary-Corradini and Theo Roduner, they plan to expand the brand to 20 stores by 2026. Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers currently have five restaurants in Australia.

Russo, 53, famously grew the Pizza Capers brand empire from one store in Kenmore in 1999 to 120 across Australia in just 13 years. In 2012 he sold off his empire so he could soak up the sunshine in Sicily. 

Then, in 2018, he met Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers co-founders Ben and Theo who just recently opened the first Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers in Paddington, Brisbane. Russo became their unofficial big brother, a mentor, and a friend, giving the two new players advice through the initial years.

After growing the restaurants to five, Russo has now decided to officially come aboard to help them grow the brand.

“We are extremely excited to have Anthony join us, his mentorship over the years we’ve known him has been on point, and his experience in scaling up hospitality businesses will help guide us in the right direction in growing Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers from a local favourite to become a leading brand in the Italian quick service restaurant sector across Australia,” Ben and Theo said.