Riko's Pizza, the Stamford, Conn.-based tavern-style pizza franchise, launched five chicken-forward limited-time offerings on June 8, available system-wide through September 30 under the branded campaign 'Pollo di Buon Gusto.'
The promotional lineup spans two specialty pizzas, two new wing flavor profiles, and a chicken slider — a five-SKU expansion that broadens Riko's protein offerings beyond its core pizza menu. The company did not disclose pricing or projected sales lift tied to the promotion.
The move follows a broader industry pattern in which regional and emerging pizza franchises deploy summer LTO windows to drive trial, boost average check size, and compete against larger chains that command greater marketing budgets. Limited-time chicken formats have shown consistent traction across the fast-casual and pizza segments, with operators citing wing and protein-forward SKUs as reliable traffic drivers during warmer months. For context on how regional operators are using LTOs to build brand equity, see our earlier coverage of franchise menu strategy trends and fast-casual summer promotions.
Riko's positions itself as a differentiated concept within the crowded pizza franchise category, leaning on its tavern-style identity — thin-crust, bar-adjacent dining — to carve out a niche between fast-food pizza chains and full-service Italian restaurants. The 'Pollo di Buon Gusto' campaign name, Italian for 'chicken of good taste,' extends that brand language into its seasonal merchandising.
No franchisee count, system-wide revenue figures, or comp-sales benchmarks were disclosed in connection with the announcement. The company has not provided public guidance on unit growth or top-line performance for fiscal 2026.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral, Politz is also the Co-founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.