Branding & Packaging Consulting | Rise Hospitality Consulting

Brandi Pizzeria

In June 1889, the new sovereigns of Italy were in Naples for the Reclamation of the City. Queen Margherita of Savoy expressed her desire to try the favorite dish of the people. So, the Head of Dining Services at the Royal Palace, Camillo Galli, called for the most famous pizza chef of the period, Raffaele Esposito, husband of Maria Giovanna Brandi. Esposito went to Capodimonte and prepared three different types of pizza. The Queen especially liked the one he had prepared with tomato, mozzarella and basil, a pizza which also brought to mind the colours of the Savoy flag and in which, in her honour, was christened the "Margherita". In 1889, Queen Margherita penned her historic letter paying homage to Pizzeria Brandi as the originator of the Margherita Pizza, and thus, history was born. Several centuries later, our work has just begun as this historic brand makes its way across the pond to the United States.

Branding work done in conjunction with BlackCoffee (www.blackcoffee.com)

Project scope

+ Architectural renderings & prototype
+ Design/build
+ Construction management
+ Financial modeling & construction budgeting

Chef taking pizza from a brick oven, inside a restaurant kitchen. Oven has blue and white tiles.

Man in black attire wearing a black apron with

Two people in black uniforms with grey accents and aprons, likely restaurant staff.

Inside a pizza restaurant: brick oven with

Bindi Trattoria restaurant with blue awning and outdoor seating area.

Papaya King

Today, say the words "Papaya King" and franks and tropical drinks will instantly come to mind.

Project scope

Papaya King has been called by Zagat the "best, cheapest (stand-up) lunch in the city" and “more vital than the subway.” Critic Ed Levine of New York Eats calls it the "best hot dog in the world" and Julia Child and Anthony Bourdain both agree it’s the best hot dog in New York. Over the years, Papaya King has played host to movie stars, rock stars, presidents, business titans, and most importantly, New Yorkers and visitors from all walks of life.

+ Architectural renderings & prototype

+ Design/build

+ Construction management

+ Financial modeling & construction budgeting

Menu for a juice bar with a mascot and colorful sections showcasing various drinks and prices.

Labels for FPO juice, a series of tall, rectangular boxes in pale blue with illustrations and text.

Four side views of a food truck with yellow and green graphics featuring a smiling hot dog, soda, and

Inside a New York City Cafe, counter with drinks, food prep area, yellow walls, and a historic photo.

Papaya King hot dogs with toppings and drink. Yellow, sunny branding.

Hot dogs, buns, tomatoes, pickles, and mac and cheese on a table setting, with packages of hot dogs.

Papaya King hot dog kit: beef frankfurters, rolls, sauce, slaw, and

Yellow Papaya King food truck with colorful signage and open service window.

Uncle Louie G's Italian Ices & Ice Cream

Remember we talked about experiencing 'sweat equity'? Well, this one is a prime example. During a long hot summer, in our delirium, we decided to buy an italian ices and ice cream business.

Project scope

So, we bought a Brooklyn, NY institution, Uncle Louie G's. Over the course of a year we took an eclectic and iconic brand, and built a powerhouse brand which we had the exciting fortune of launching their franchise and growing into a 50+ store powerhouse. We had a ton of fun, learned alot and of course gained a few pounds along the way.

+ Architectural renderings & prototype
+ Design/build
+ Construction management
+ Financial modeling & construction budgeting