The Russos are a lot like the families in their Manhattan neighbourhood with one significant difference…they come from a long line of wizards and now, the three teens in the house – Justin, Alex and Max – must learn to hone their budding magical powers or soon risk losing them. Jerry and Theresa Russo have their hands full running the family-owned sandwich shop, Waverly Sub Station, and managing a house full of often squabbling teens experiencing the trials and tribulations of adolescence. Add to the mix daily wizard training in a secret lair at home and life gets truly unpredictable. Long ago, Jerry Russo relinquished his wizard powers to marry his mere mortal wife, Theresa, but now their three kids each show signs they've inherited wizard powers. Although Jerry does his best to teach his kids the proper use of magic, and to practice only when supervised by him, comedic chaos ensues as they learn to manage their new skills, and break Jerry's number one rule. While Jerry tutors the kids in wizardry and tries to keep one step ahead of them, Theresa encourages them to learn about her side of the family too and while she loves her kids, she won't stand for magic run amok.