'We shared a vision of creating something special together': Long-time buddies invest £600,000 to strengthen pizza chain’s presence in Belfast
Armed with 50 years of industry know-how, The Pizza Co.’s Downpatrick, Belfast and Armagh trio are rolling out two new stores in north and east Belfast and creating 40 jobs to meet soaring demand
Northern Ireland pizza chain has announced the opening of two new stores in east and north Belfast as part of ambitious growth plans for the locally owned fresh, fast food operator following a £600,000 investment and the creation of 40 new jobs.
The new locations mark a major milestone for The Pizza Co, strengthening its presence across Belfast with its first store in the north of the city at the Ardoyne shops, and a second in the east on the Knock Road.
The expansion will see the creation of 40 new jobs, offering a mix of full-time and part-time roles. This growth follows sustained demand across its current six locations and The Pizza Co.’s commitment to high-quality, locally sourced produce.
The Pizza Co. is owned and operated by three long-time friends, Belfast’s Matthew Stevenson, Conall Humston from Armagh and Matt McGrath from Downpatrick, who bring over 50 years of combined industry experience to the brand’s continued expansion.
The new locations follow impressive growth of the business over the last two years following its change in ownership, rebrand and opening of its sixth store in Lisburn.
The company has also invested in its facilities, including a new preparation kitchen where its dough is made in-house daily using premium equipment imported from Italy.
Matthew Stevenson, director of The Pizza Co. said: “Over the last two years, we’ve made significant investments in our infrastructure and focused on growing a brand that prioritises quality, freshness and local provenance.
"The opening of our second store in east Belfast, along with our first expansion into the north of the city, represents an exciting new chapter in our ambitious growth strategy.
“I first met my fellow directors in 2009 when we worked together at another pizza chain and when we took over The Pizza Co., we shared a vision of creating something special together, so we are thrilled to see the business continuing to thrive.
“The opening of two new stores not only reflects our commitment to quality and locally made pizza, but also the loyalty and support of our customers, whose support has made our growth possible. It’s a very exciting time for The Pizza Co. and we’re well positioned for continued expansion and more store openings across Northern Ireland in the near future.”