Rosati's Pizza to Take Customers Back to Where the Dream All Started: Naples, Italy
Elgin, IL (PRWEB) May 01, 2014 -- In celebration of their 50th anniversary, Rosati’s Pizza is giving customers a chance to win a trip to Naples, Italy. An online interactive game gives customers the opportunity to win free Rosati’s products, coupons and sponsored “daily prizes”. Those who participate will ultimately become entered into a sweepstakes for a grand prize of an all-inclusive, weeklong trip for two to Naples. Everyone has a chance to win something. One lucky customer recently won two American Airlines vouchers. The more times fans play, the more chances they have in winning the trip. Visit play.myrosatis.com to enter. There are many prizes to be won.
The 50th anniversary celebration kicked off at the first Rosati’s Sports Pub in Yorkville, IL, where customers had the chance to exclusively play the contest before the release. Customers won a variety of items from catering packages to sporting event tickets. The entire family and Rosati’s owners are extremely excited with the milestone. They want to show appreciation to all of their loyal customers who have helped them achieve their golden bicentennial by giving them a chance of a lifetime.
Taking a look back, in 1895, an Italian immigrant from the region of Naples, Italy, Ferdinand Rosati opened a fine-dining Italian restaurant on Coney Island. In 1906, he moved to Chicago and started yet another Italian restaurant on Chicago’s famous Taylor Street. Since the restaurant gained immense success, expansion was the next direction. A hotel, saloon, and a small importing and exporting business of Italian foods were added to the restaurant.
“Back then, pizza was strictly old-world Italian fare, simply a tomato sauce served on crisp bread, and covered with a thin layer of cheese. He called his creation “Pizza A’Olia” and the people loved it! Ferdinand often put it on the table as a special offering to his customers,” said Anthony Rosati.
After Ferdinand’s restaurant took off in Chicago, the business became a true family affair. His son, Saverio (Sam) Rosati, opened a second Chicago restaurant on Pulaski and Madison in Chicago, right next to the Marbro Theater.
Soon after, the restaurant became a favorite watering hole for the old Chicago society and Windy City politicians. On any given night Jack Haley, famous for his role as the “Tin Man” in The Wizard of Oz could be seen enjoying a hearty helping of Sam’s homemade lasagna. Though contrary to popular belief, notorious gangster, Al Capone and his entourage could also be found sharing a favorite dish of pasta with so-called “nemesis”, Eliot Ness.
When Saverio (Sam) retired, his sons moved to the suburbs with a new and timely concept. The year was 1964 and pizza was now a popular trend. Saverio’s sons Dick, Ron and Al Rosati opened the first Rosati’s Pizza in an Illinois suburb, Mount Prospect. Later Fred Rosati joined in on the family affair. The original four brothers are all alive and well and able to see how far their efforts have taken them.
“The golden anniversary is an exciting milestone for our family, owners and customers and although we have been in business creating homemade Italian dishes for more than 100 years, “Rosati’s Pizza” was first introduced as a carryout and delivery concept in 1964. By 1978, a total of ten Rosati family members owned carryout pizzerias and then we became serious about franchising in 2003. Our newest models are now our full-service Rosati’s Sports Pubs and centralized catering program,” said Rosati.
Sam’s great-grandsons still operate the location and as of 2014, the family has franchised close to 200 locations throughout the United States, including the newest concept, the Rosati’s Sports Pub. Their menu consists of original Italian dishes from family recipes, a variety of Chicago-style pizzas, sandwiches, salads and desserts. “As uncle Al always says, “feed the people!” and that is exactly what we will continue to do for many generations to come.”
About Rosati’s Pizza
The first Rosati’s Authentic Chicago Pizzeria was opened in Mt. Prospect, IL in 1964, serving pizza based on a family recipe that dates back to the turn of the century. Today, Rosati's Pizza is the second-largest local restaurant chain in the Chicago area and franchises close to 200 locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin. Rosati’s Pizza provides delicious signature pizzas, pastas, sandwiches, salads and entrees. Visit us at http://www.myrosatis.com.
Brittany Burzawa, Rosati's Pizza, http://www.myrosatis.com, +1 (847) 426-8685, [email protected]
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