Sbarro lends an Italian flavor to that great American innovation, the shopping mall. The company operates and franchises more than 900 cafeteria-style Italian-food stands across the US and about 30 other countries. Serving pizza, pasta, salads, and sandwiches, Sbarro's units are typically found in high-traffic locations, such as malls, downtown locations, and toll-road rest areas. It also has units in other food-court locations, such as airports, college campuses, and sports stadiums. In addition, Sbarro has stakes in about 30 other restaurants. Founded in 1954 by the late Gennaro Sbarro with his wife Carmela, the company was taken private by the Sbarro family in 1999.