Pizzeria group Zia Lucia eyes UK expansion

The 10-strong pizzeria group has instructed real estate advisor Savills for its expansion across the rest of the UK with plans to open between five and 10 sites throughout the rest of the UK over the next three years.

The company says its initial focus will be on the south, east and south west of the UK and is seeking sites of between 1,000 and 1,500sq ft in high streets locations.

The restaurant group is known for its pizza range that offers four different types of dough (traditional white flour, wholemeal, gluten free and vegetable charcoal black base).

“The love shown by our guests every day is overwhelming, and every new opening has been a huge success. London is where our brand is born, but after winning the UK National Pizza Award it was clear to us that there is a demand for our four types of pizza bases nation-wide. We look forward to bringing our black pizza to new cities,” says Claudio Vescovo, Zia Lucia co-founder.

Founded in 2016 by Italian born Claudio Vescovo and Gianluca D'Angelo, Zia Lucia – which translates to ‘Auntie Lucia’ operates 10 restaurants across the capital, with its next site due to open in West Hampstead soon.

“Zia Lucia has become a hugely successful pizza brand in London, offering truly authentic Italian pizza in many areas throughout the city,” says Carlene Hughes, head of UK restaurants and leisure at Savills.

“We’re delighted to have been exclusively retained by them as they now embark on their rollout into other parts of the UK and look forward to seeing their business grow even further.”