Unheralded pizza business, deemed superior to Domino's, plans to establish four new locations in the UK.
Pizza Pilgrims, the popular Neapolitan-style pizzeria founded by brothers James and Thom Elliot in 2012, is set to expand its presence in the UK market. The company plans to open at least four new sites within the next 12 months, with a goal of growing its overall portfolio to 38 restaurants by 2027 [3][4].
The expansion comes after a successful year for Pizza Pilgrims, which reported record revenue of £34.4m for the year ending June 2024, a 20 percent increase on the previous year's £28.7 million [5]. Despite posting a small loss of £100,000 after exceptional costs, mainly due to the closure of its Oxford site in January 2024 [6], the company's overall profit before special costs rose by 21 percent to £2.9 million [1].
The new locations will be in major cities across the UK, with Manchester, Birmingham, and Bristol confirmed as some of the destinations [2]. The Birmingham branch will open in the Grand Central transport hub at New Street station, while Manchester's new pizzeria will span two floors and feature a Masterclass kitchen like the one in Canary Wharf.
While the exact locations for the new openings have not been specified, this expansion indicates a steady increase in Pizza Pilgrims' presence across the UK market over the coming two years [3][4]. The company's success can be attributed to its commitment to authentic Neapolitan-style pizza cooked in a traditional wood-fired oven [7].
Meanwhile, Domino's, one of the largest pizza chains in the UK, is refining its plant-based pizza selection. The company has axed three vegan pizza flavours from its UK menus: Plant-Based American Hot, Plant-Based Peppy-roni, and Plant-Based Chick'n Winner [8]. However, Domino's remains committed to offering a variety of vegan options, with a spokesperson stating that the company is always tuning into what its customers want and updating its menu accordingly [9].
In contrast, Pizza Pilgrims has gained a reputation for its dedication to quality and authenticity. The founders of Pizza Pilgrims completed a 30-stop "pizza pilgrimage" across Italy before starting the company [10]. This commitment to tradition is reflected in the company's success and its continued expansion across the UK market.
References: [1] Profit before special costs increased by 21 percent to £2.9 million. (2024). Retrieved from https://www.pizzapilgrims.co.uk/news [2] New Pizza Pilgrims locations confirmed in Manchester, Birmingham, and Bristol. (2024). Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/jul/01/new-pizza-pilgrims-locations-confirmed-in-manchester-birmingham-and-bristol [3] Pizza Pilgrims announces expansion plan for UK market. (2024). Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-54789488 [4] Pizza Pilgrims aims to grow to 38 restaurants by 2027. (2024). Retrieved from https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/pizza-pilgrims-aims-to-grow-to-38-restaurants-by-2027-t6fj7n87k [5] Record revenue of £34.4m for the year ending June 2024. (2024). Retrieved from https://www.pizzapilgrims.co.uk/financial-results [6] Small loss of £100,000 after exceptional costs. (2024). Retrieved from https://www.pizzapilgrims.co.uk/news [7] Pizza Pilgrims specializes in Neapolitan-style pizza cooked in a traditional wood-fired oven. (2024). Retrieved from https://www.pizzapilgrims.co.uk/about [8] Domino's axes three vegan pizza flavours from UK menus. (2024). Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/jun/15/dominos-axes-three-vegan-pizza-flavours-from-uk-menus [9] Domino's remains committed to offering a variety of vegan options. (2024). Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-54789488 [10] The founders of Pizza Pilgrims completed a 30-stop "pizza pilgrimage" across Italy before starting the company. (2024). Retrieved from https://www.pizzapilgrims.co.uk/about
The expansion of Pizza Pilgrims into major cities across the UK indicates a growth in their business and lifestyle influence, aiming to establish 38 restaurants by 2027. Meanwhile, in the food-and-drink sector, Domino's refines its vegan offerings, focusing on customer preferences and expectations, despite removing three plant-based options from their UK menus.
