MARCH 2026 UPDATE:
Santucci’s Rio Grande is now open!
Santucci’s, the iconic Philadelphia pizza brand known for its signature square pies, is continuing its South Jersey growth with plans to open a second Cape May County location in Rio Grande this spring.
The new restaurant will be located at the former Bruni’s site at 1613 Route 47, Rio Grande, NJ, marking an important milestone for owners Jim and Erica Burke, who opened their first Santucci’s franchise in Wildwood five years ago.
Before entering the restaurant world, Jim Burke spent 16 years serving as a Philadelphia police officer, while Erica worked at the University of Pennsylvania. Seeking a new chapter and the opportunity to build something of their own, the couple took a leap of faith, purchased a Santucci’s franchise, and relocated their family to Wildwood. The move proved transformative.
“We never looked back,” Burke said, reflecting on the decision to leave their previous careers behind, open the franchise, and raise their family in Wildwood.
While the Wildwood location operates year-round, island life comes with challenges. Much of the business is seasonal, and peak summer traffic can significantly impact delivery times. After several successful years, Burke began looking for an opportunity to expand off the island and better serve Cape May County’s year-round residents.
When the former Bruni’s property in Rio Grande became available, Burke quickly recognized the potential. The location had already operated as a pizza shop, making it a natural fit for Santucci’s, and it offered strategic advantages beyond just additional square footage.
The Rio Grande restaurant will allow the Burkes to more efficiently service surrounding communities such as Middle Township, Cape May Court House, and the Villas, while also improving delivery access to the area’s many campgrounds—an audience that had previously been harder to reach from Wildwood.
The timing also aligns with broader development in the Rio Grande area, which continues to grow. For Burke, the decision represents both confidence in the brand and comfort in the operational experience he has gained over the past five years.
With high hopes for the new location and a clear vision for serving both locals and seasonal visitors, the Burkes see this expansion as a natural next step.
Santucci’s second Cape May County location is expected to open sometime in early Spring.
Santucci’s has seen a growth spurt in the past year with franchised locations in Cherry Hill and Deptford being the most recently opened in South Jersey. Congrats to them!
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