Pizza chain The Pizza Co, which currently operates six outlets in greater Belfast and employs 200 staff, has invested £550,000 into the business following a recent change of ownership, marking the start of an ambitious growth strategy for the business.
The new management team of Matthew Stevenson (previously manager at the ‘Bot’), Conall Humston, and Matt McGrath has installed technology such as a new POS system, touch-screen self-service tills, and real-time driver tracking, while a complete rebrand of its six pizzerias has been undertaken by Belfast creative agency Aspect Media.
Director Matthew Stevenson said: “Purchasing the brand with Conall and Matt is hugely exciting. I previously worked for The Pizza Co. at its Botanic Avenue store, so I know the business well. We have made significant investments in all areas, and we’re buzzing to open the next chapter in The Pizza Co. story, with a fresh identity that encapsulates our new approach to the exciting journey ahead of us.
“As three long-time friends with 50 years of combined industry experience, we are ideally placed to take The Pizza Co. to the next level.
“We recently opened our newest store in Lisburn, and have exciting plans in place for further expansion of the brand across Northern Ireland.
“Our passion for quality pizza, combined with an unwavering dedication to improving the customer experience, and a commitment to give back to the communities within which we operate, is a winning formula and one that we are excited about sharing through our planned expansion.”
He added: “We are already seeing the benefits of our new technology which has led to quicker delivery times and happier customers. Last week alone, we delivered 82% of our orders within 30 minutes.
“Food provenance and quality is paramount to us, with the standard of our pizzas now significantly improved with dough meticulously hand-rolled, proven for up to four days and hand-stretched on-site by our skilled pizza chefs.
“We avoid synthetic cheeses, instead using 100% local diced Mozzarella, and our distinctive sauce uses tomatoes sourced from Northern Italy. Simply put, we aim to serve the best and freshest takeaway pizzas in Northern Ireland.”
The company donates meal vouchers totalling £2,400 every week to local sports clubs, schools and youth groups, while also sponsoring basketball, soccer and GAA clubs in its local communities.