Pizzaiolo Primo in Market Square purchased by Ron Sofranko Group, sets reopening date

PITTSBURGH — Market Square’s Pizzaiolo Primo is preparing to reopen after closing last December amid the pandemic and it’ll do so under new ownership; the restaurant has been purchased by the Ron Sofranko Group, according to a company announcement.

“We’re thrilled to bring Pizzaiolo Primo back to downtown Pittsburgh and provide the great Italian food and wines the restaurant’s patrons love so much,” Ron Sofranko said in a statement. Before acquiring the restaurant, he served as a partner in the establishment when it opened as Il Pizzaiolo Market Square back in 2013. Michael Zimmerman and Richard Sphatt, the restaurant’s general manager and executive chef under its previous ownership, respectively, will maintain their roles, as will several staff members.

“Bringing back the general manager, the original executive chef and members of the staff was important to us, and we’re thrilled we were able to do that,” Sofranko said. “We’re very confident Pittsburgh’s restaurant scene will rebound from the pandemic soon, and purchasing Pizzaiolo Primo was a way for us to put our money where our mouth is.”

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