by Kenneth Hilario
Philadelphia's oldest Italian restaurant will be franchising for the first time in its 115-year-old history. Ralph's Italian Restaurant will be franchising its brand, led by Ryan Rubino, the great-great-grandson of Francesco and Catherine Dispigno, who first opened the restaurant in South Philadelphia.
The franchised locations will be known simply as Ralph's. The short-term goal is to find franchisees and expand in the Northeast first, including western Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York, said Rubino, who is also president of Ralph's franchise program.
Source: http://www.bizjournals.com/