Family life takes priority for Casa Mia owner

AWARD-winning restaurant Casa Mia Grande is up for sale following the decision by its owner to spend more time with his family.

Francesco Mazzella told TheBusinessDesk.com that his wife Marta was expecting their third child and that his 80 hour week meant that he was at the Chapel Allerton restaurant more than home.

“We are very much the face of Casa Mia and people expect to see us there,” he said.

“I’m there from 8am to 2am in the morning seven days a week. What’s the point of working all hours if you can’t enjoy your family and life.”

He said that Casa Mia Grande, which became the first Italian restaurant in Leeds to receive a coveted AA Rosette earlier this year, was the “tip of the iceberg” of the business empire.

Since 1998 when the Casa Mia Coffee Shop was opened in Chapel Allerton it has been non stop for owners.

The husband and wife team have grown the multi-faceted business to one boasting more than 180 staff.

It began with purchase of an existing business when the Mazzella’s purchased a small Italian coffee shop. Within months of the purchase, the failing business turned into a bustling pizza and pasta restaurant.

Within a year of the coffee shop opening the Mazzella’s portfolio doubled with the launch of Casa Mia Grande.

In 2003, they opened a bar right next door to Grande – Bar Ischia. The following year saw the opening of Casa Mia Millennium in Leeds city centre.

Mr Mazzella also imports a range of Italian foods including a selection of fine wines. 

“People know the restaurant but don’t realise that we also operate an outside catering arm and manufacture products for other restaurants including ice-cream and bread,” he said.

“We haven’t spent 12 years building up the restaurant to suddenly decide to sell it. It’s very much business as usual and we are making plans late into the year. Spending more time with my family is the only reason I am selling.”

Mr Mazzella is one of the many people in Yorkshire to be affected by the air traffic ban due to the volcanic ash cloud as his wife and children are currently ‘stuck’ in Poland following a holiday.

“We are working out how to get them home but it will probably mean driving,” he said.

“Obviously the kids think it’s wonderful having more time off!”