Pizzeria fears extinction after ‘diabolical two years’

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This is nowhere near enough to offset inflation in the cost of the ingredients, but Chunqiu warned: “You can’t pass all this on to customers. You can’t price a margarita at £15. That’s no business. You’ll start losing customers.”

Pizza is one of Britain’s favorite dishes and the UK market has grown year on year over the past decade. It is currently believed to be worth around £3.5 billion.

Some chains are expanding rapidly. For example, luxury fermented pizza brand Franco Manca opened 10 new pizzerias in the 12 months to September 2022.

These were “devil years for the industry,” said Jim Winship, director of the Pizza, Pasta and Italian Food Association, adding that independent restaurants were in a weaker position because they lacked the purchasing power of larger groups.

He said: “There will always be a demand for the pizza sector in the long run – it’s a question of who can survive the next three to six months until we get out of this cost of living crisis.

“I think we’ll see a number soon. It’s hard to say how many. It depends on how strong their balance sheets can weather the storm.”

In addition to the exorbitant cost of ingredients, restaurateurs like Chionchio have to contend with staff shortages and soaring energy prices.

Mr. Chionchio said: “At this point we ask every day, is it worth it? We’re not making money and it’s not just us – all pizzerias are suffering.”

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