International real estate advisor Savills has been instructed by popular London-based pizza restaurant and the most recent UK National Pizza Award Winner, Zia Lucia, on its expansion into the rest of the UK.
Founded in 2016 by Italian born Claudio Vescovo and Gianluca D'Angelo, Zia Lucia – which translates to ‘Auntie Lucia’ - prides itself on its 48-hour slow fermented doughs and authentic neighbourhood venues. The group now operates from 10 sites across the capital, with its next outpost due to open in West Hampstead very soon.
Following the significant success of its neighbourhood London restaurants, the brand is now looking to open 5 – 10 sites throughout the rest of the UK over the next three years, with a focus on the South, East and South West of the UK initially. It is seeking sites of between 1,000 and 1,500 sq ft in high streets locations.
Carlene Hughes, head of UK restaurants and leisure at Savills, comments: “Zia Lucia has become a hugely successful pizza brand in London, offering truly authentic Italian pizza in many areas throughout the city. 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.”
Claudio Vescovo, Zia Lucia co-founder, comments: “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 4 types of pizza bases nation-wide. We look forward to bringing our black pizza to new cities!”