​Pizza Pilgrims Prepares for Next Chapter, Considers Reviving Slice Concept

Pizza Pilgrims, the UK-based pizzeria chain inspired by Neapolitan cuisine, has enlisted advisory support as it evaluates growth strategies, including a potential revival of its New York-style pizza-by-the-slice concept, Slice. Operating 23 locations across the UK, the company has recently engaged PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to explore strategic and investment options as it aims to expand its domestic and international presence.

The chain’s founders, Thom and James Elliot, along with managing director Gavin Smith and finance director Sophie Gilchriest, are steering Pizza Pilgrims through this next growth phase. Interest in the company has been piqued from across the food and hospitality industries, with what the group describes as “exciting, unsolicited” approaches from trade operators, global food service providers, and financial institutions. PwC’s assessment of these opportunities will help the company identify the best path forward for sustainable expansion.

Central to these plans is the potential relaunch of Slice, a quick-service brand initially introduced in 2021 as a pandemic-inspired pop-up on London’s South Bank. The concept later moved to a permanent site in Finsbury Park, serving pizzas by the slice and by the metre. Despite initial interest, the Finsbury Park location shifted back to the core Pizza Pilgrims brand just six months after its opening. The group cited the need for a more “grab-and-go” environment for Slice and hinted that future launches of the brand could take the form of concessions in entertainment venues or festival settings. Reflecting this pivot, Pizza Pilgrims has confirmed ongoing discussions with a prominent entertainment venue about a new location for Slice.

The company’s ambitions go beyond Slice, with three additional UK sites planned for the current financial year, including a new location in Edinburgh – its first venture into the Scottish market. Pizza Pilgrims is also eyeing international markets, assessing potential destinations abroad to bring its pizza experience to an even wider audience.

Reflecting on the company’s journey, co-founder Thom Elliot remarked, “Since the outset, our mantra has always been to build a sustainable business for the long term, making people happier one pizza at a time.” This focus on sustainability is further underscored by Pizza Pilgrims’ achievement of B-Corp certification earlier this year, a status awarded following a rigorous two-year evaluation process and held by only a select few UK hospitality businesses.

Pizza Pilgrims’ latest financial results underscore its upward momentum, with revenue reaching a record £28.7 million for the year ending June 2023—a 37% increase. The company’s pre-tax profits doubled to £0.7 million, while EBITDA rose from £1.1 million to £2.4 million over the same period.

As Pizza Pilgrims prepares for its next journey stage, the team remains committed to enhancing the brand while carefully considering growth avenues that align with its core values. By revisiting the Slice concept and engaging with new partners, Pizza Pilgrims aims to navigate the evolving foodservice landscape, bringing its pizza offerings to more markets and solidifying its position as a leader in sustainable hospitality.

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