Fast-growing pizza firm has plans to open in Manchester
A well-known pizza chain is to open its first branch in Manchester.
Popular London sourdough pizza chain Franco Manca now has more than 40 branches nationwide.
And the firm has lodged an application to open its first restaurant in Manchester in Piccadilly Gardens.
Planning and licensing applications have been submitted by the chain for new venue in the former Lloyds Branch in Mosley Street.
The new venue will be on the corner of the public square opposite M&S Simply Food.
Manchester’s Franco Manca restaurant will be over two-storeys with space for 130 covers and a bar in the basement.
The new restaurant will be open seven days a week, with a licensing application requesting permission to open from 10am to midnight.
The pizza chain originally opened as Francos in Brixton Market before being taken over and rapidly expanding in 2008.
Franco Manca makes its own dough daily and “seasonal ingredients are sourced from small suppliers across Italy and the UK”.
Classic pizzas are made to order along with more original creations, such as the Gloucester old spot ham mozzarella, buffalo ricotta and wild mushrooms pizza.
The company has 34 branches across London and nine additional restaurants in other parts of the UK.
Latest openings have been in Cambridge and Edinburgh.
The chain is operated by Fulham Shore which also owns the Real Greek brand.
Sales at the business rose by 20 per cent in the second half of 2018 to £33m.
At the time chairman David Page said the company was looking to expand.
He added: “Our two restaurant businesses performed well in the first half of the year, driven by a number of factors including: new menu initiatives, including vegan and gluten free options, within both businesses and investment in our digital channels.
“During the current financial year to date we have seen sales and profit growth, improved operating cash flow, and reduced debt exposure for the group.
“These factors, together with our successful new opening so far this year, have led us to consider increasing our opening programme beyond the current financial year.”
