Sbarro is an Italian-American restaurant chain that was founded in 1956 by Gennaro and Carmela Sbarro. The first Sbarro restaurant opened in Brooklyn, New York, and quickly became a popular destination for families, offering Italian-style pizza and other Italian dishes.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Sbarro expanded rapidly, opening new locations in shopping malls and other high-traffic areas across the United States. The company also began to franchise its restaurants, which helped to accelerate its expansion.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Sbarro continued to grow and expand, both in the United States and internationally. The company opened locations in countries such as Canada, Japan, and Kuwait.

In the 2000s and 2010s, Sbarro continued to expand globally, with a focus on opening new locations in countries throughout Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. The company also expanded its menu to include a wider variety of Italian dishes and introduced new restaurant concepts, such as Sbarro Express and Sbarro NY Pizza.

The restaurant chain eventually expanded to over 800 locations across the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. 

In 2012, however, the company declared bankruptcy and was forced to close hundreds of locations. This was due to a combination of factors, including the rise of fast-casual restaurants, the economic downturn, and high rent costs.

Since then, Sbarro has been focusing on expanding its real estate portfolio, opening new restaurants in smaller spaces such as kiosks, food courts, and college campuses. The company has also been investing in digital marketing and delivery services to reach more customers.

In 2022 Sbarro announced it exceeded 100 new restaurant openings for the year.  This was the most opened in a single year in the 65-year history of the company.