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.

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Source: http://www.bizjournals.com/