OUR STORY
BROOKLYN BORN. FAMILY MADE. 25 YEARS STRONG.
From a stoop in Brooklyn to 45+ locations across 8 states and Dubai. Here’s how a kid named Louie G started it all — and why we’ll never charge you royalties.
THE BEGINNING
IT STARTED ON A BROOKLYN STOOP
Brooklyn, 1959. Hot summer days. Kids playing stickball in the streets. And one kid — Louie G — who left the game early every day to craft frozen treats on his stoop.
He’d give out free samples. The line got longer. The neighborhood kids started calling him Uncle Louie G — a name that stuck for the next six decades.
Decades later, John Russo and Carmen Barrios took that same Brooklyn spirit and opened the first official Uncle Louie G location at 362 Coney Island Avenue. Drew Bizzoco joined that same year, and the franchise was born.
The product hasn’t changed: real fruit, handcrafted recipes, 14% butterfat ice cream. No shortcuts. No artificial anything. Just the same frozen treats that made Brooklyn kids line up on Louie’s stoop.
THE JOURNEY
FROM ONE STOOP TO 45+ LOCATIONS
1959 — The Stoop
Louie G starts making Italian ices in Brooklyn. Neighborhood kids line up daily.
1999 — The First Store
John Russo and Carmen Barrios open at 362 Coney Island Avenue, Brooklyn. Drew Bizzoco joins.
2001 — Franchising Begins
Uncle Louie G becomes an official franchisor. The $0 royalty model is established from day one.
2013 — National TV
Dino Russo appears on The View and multiple national networks. Franchise inquiries explode.
2016 — Staten Island HQ
Manufacturing moves to a state-of-the-art facility in Staten Island. 50+ flavors in production.
2020 — Citi Field Partnership
Uncle Louie G becomes an official partner of Citi Field, home of the New York Mets.
2024 — Dubai & Beyond
International expansion begins. 45+ locations across 8 states plus Dubai. Still $0 royalties.
LEADERSHIP
MEET DINO RUSSO
When his brother (the company founder) retired, Dino Russo stepped in and transformed Uncle Louie G from a local Brooklyn brand into a national franchise operation.
In seven years, Dino grew the brand from 8 locations to more than 50 — all while maintaining the $0 royalty model that makes Uncle Louie G unique in the franchise world.
His philosophy is simple: the franchise should make money when the franchisee makes money. That’s why Uncle Louie G earns through product distribution, not by taking a cut of your revenue.
THE PRODUCT
WHAT KEEPS CUSTOMERS COMING BACK
50+ flavors of Italian ices made with real fruit. 34+ flavors of premium ice cream. Kosher certified. Vegan options. Sugar-free options. Something for everyone.
Waffle Cups
Italian Ices
Milkshakes
Banana Splits
Ice Cream Cakes
READY TO OWN A PIECE OF BROOKLYN?
$20,000 franchise fee. $0 royalties forever. Open in as little as 30 days. Book a 15-minute discovery call — no pitch, just real numbers.
BOOK YOUR FREE DISCOVERY CALL