Editing PizzaExpress

{{Short description|British restaurant group}}
{{for|the jazz venue|PizzaExpress Jazz Club}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox company
| name = PizzaExpress (Restaurants) Limited
| logo = Pizzaexpress.jpg
| caption = 
| trading_name = {{Ubl
| PizzaExpress
| Pizza Marzano
| Pizza Milano
}}
| type = Private company limited by shares
| industry = [[Casual dining]]
| foundation = {{start date and age|1965}}
| founder = [[Peter Boizot]]
| location = [[Uxbridge]], England
| key_people = {{Ubl|
[[Allan Leighton]] ([[chairman]])
| Paula Mackenzie (Group [[Chief Executive Officer|CEO]])
}}
| products = [[Italian cuisine]]
| revenue = 
| operating_income = 
| net_income = 
| owner = A group of bondholders
| num_employees = 
| parent = 
| subsid = 
| footnotes = 
| homepage = {{URL|https://pizzaexpress.com/}}
}}
'''PizzaExpress (Restaurants) Limited''',<ref>{{Cite web |date=1993-03-31 |title=PizzaExpress (Restaurants) Limited overview – Find and update company information – Gov.uk |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/02805490 |access-date=2023-08-03 |website=[[Companies House]] |language=en |archive-date=3 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803130525/https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/02805490 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[trading as]] '''Pizza Express''' (also called '''Pizza Marzano''' or '''Milano'''), is a British multinational pizza [[restaurant chain]]. It has over 500 restaurants across the United Kingdom and 100 overseas in Europe, Hong Kong, Canada, China, India, Indonesia, Kuwait, the Philippines, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore and Saudi Arabia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pizzaexpressbusiness.com/about-pizzaexpressbusiness.html|title=About PizzaExpressBusiness &#124; PizzaExpress Business|website=pizzaexpressbusiness.com|access-date=12 October 2019|archive-date=12 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012181346/https://www.pizzaexpressbusiness.com/about-pizzaexpressbusiness.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Pizza Express was founded in London in 1965 by [[Peter Boizot]].<ref name="independent1">{{cite news |author=Chris Blackhurst |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/mr-pizza-and-all-that-jazz-profile-peter-boizot-1285293.html |title=Mr Pizza and all that jazz; Profile: Peter Boizot – Life and Style |work=The Independent |date=26 January 1997 |access-date=28 January 2015 |location=London |archive-date=19 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219002828/http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/mr-pizza-and-all-that-jazz-profile-peter-boizot-1285293.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In July 2020, it was taken over by its bondholders under a debt-for-equity swap with the previous owner, Hony Capital.<ref name="Private Equity News">{{Cite web |url=https://www.penews.com/articles/hony-capitals-pizzaexpress-to-cut-1100-jobs-as-it-agrees-to-restructuring-deal-20200804 |title=Hony Capital's PizzaExpress to cut 1,100 jobs as it agrees to restructuring deal |publisher=Private Equity News |access-date=16 December 2020 |archive-date=10 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410181717/https://www.penews.com/articles/hony-capitals-pizzaexpress-to-cut-1100-jobs-as-it-agrees-to-restructuring-deal-20200804 |url-status=live }}</ref> In November, Hony Capital left the business and the group restructure was completed, helping to cut the chain's debt by more than £400&nbsp;million.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/ireland-world/article/allan-leighton-to-be-pizza-express-chairman-after-restructuring-999dtr8h0 |title=Allan Leighton to be Pizza Express chairman after restructuring |website=[[The Times]] |location=London |last1=Walsh |first1=Dominic |access-date=14 March 2023 |archive-date=10 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410181716/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/allan-leighton-to-be-pizza-express-chairman-after-restructuring-999dtr8h0 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Pizza Express High St Sutton Surrey London.JPG|thumb|The [[Sutton, London]] branch, which opened in the late 1980s, and won a local architectural award]]
[[File:PizzaExpress Pizza.png|thumb|Example of food from PizzaExpress]]
[[File:Jamie Cullum at PizzaExpress Jazz Club.png|upright|thumb|alt=|[[Jamie Cullum]] playing live at PizzaExpress Jazz Club, 10 Dean Street, Soho, London]]
[[File:Veneziana Pizza.jpg|thumb|Veneziana Pizza]]

[[Peter Boizot]] opened the first Pizza Express restaurant in [[Wardour Street]], London, in 1965. Inspired by a trip to Italy, Boizot brought back to London a pizza oven from [[Naples]] and a chef from [[Sicily]]. In 1969, jazz performances began at its [[Dean Street]] restaurant, London.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.peach-report.com/Latest/686503/pizzaexpress_founder_peter_boizot_an_industry_icon.html |title=PizzaExpress founder Peter Boizot an Industry Icon |publisher=Peach Report |date=19 November 2010 |access-date=28 January 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405032700/http://www.peach-report.com/Latest/686503/pizzaexpress_founder_peter_boizot_an_industry_icon.html |archive-date=5 April 2015 }}</ref>

PizzaExpress expanded into [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]] in 1995 and currently operates 14 restaurants there under the brand name Milano.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.milano.ie/about-us |title=About Milano |publisher=Milano.ie |access-date=28 January 2015 |archive-date=24 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150124041419/http://www.milano.ie/about%2Dus/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Additionally, the company owns the brand name Marzano. Originally, Marzano or Pizza Marzano was used in countries where the brand name Pizza Express was not available, as with the use of the name Milano in [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]], but it also exists in some territories, such as Cyprus, to differentiate between the restaurants selling primarily pizza and those offering a wider range of non-pizza meals inspired by Italian cuisine.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pizzaexpress.com.cy/about-us-marazano |title=About Us |publisher=Pizzaexpress |access-date=28 January 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222013816/http://www.pizzaexpress.com.cy/about-us-marazano |archive-date=22 February 2015 }}</ref> It is also used for a cafe-bar run as an adjunct to the branch of Pizza Express in [[The Forum, Norwich|The Forum]] in Norwich, Cafe Bar Marzano.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theforumnorwich.co.uk/eat-drink |title=Eat/Drink |publisher=The Forum |access-date=26 December 2015 |archive-date=5 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105065011/http://www.theforumnorwich.co.uk/eat-drink |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2011, PizzaExpress launched a major rebrand of its UK restaurants, with menu changes, a black and white logo and the widespread use of stripes, both for staff uniforms and for restaurant decor.<ref>{{cite web |last=Chapman |first=Matthew |url=http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/news/1089707/PizzaExpress-launches-biggest-rebrand-date/ |title=PizzaExpress launches biggest rebrand to date |publisher=Marketing Magazine |access-date=28 January 2015 |archive-date=20 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120190929/http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/news/1089707/PizzaExpress-launches-biggest-rebrand-date |url-status=live }}</ref>

In July 2014, the group was sold to the China-based private equity firm [[Hony Capital]] in a deal worth £900 million.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2014-07-12|title=Pizza Express sold to Chinese firm Hony Capital for £900m|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-28279203|access-date=2020-09-03|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112034712/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-28279203|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2017, PizzaExpress launched 'PizzaExpress Live'.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}

In October 2019, PizzaExpress hired financial advisors in preparation for its talks with creditors. The chain had been experiencing financial difficulties arising from a downturn in consumer demand for eating out.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-10-04/pizzaexpress-hires-advisers-ahead-of-debt-talks-with-creditors |title=PizzaExpress Hires Advisers Ahead of Debt Talks With Creditors |first1=Antonio |last1=Vanuzzo |first2=Katie |last2=Linsell |date=4 October 2019 |publisher=Bloomberg L.P. |access-date=8 October 2019 |archive-date=8 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008024655/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-10-04/pizzaexpress-hires-advisers-ahead-of-debt-talks-with-creditors |url-status=live }}</ref>

In March 2020, all UK restaurants were forced to close indefinitely due to [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|nationwide lockdown rules]] introduced by the government to limit the spread of [[Coronavirus disease 2019|COVID-19]]. On 28 May 2020, select London restaurants reopened for delivery services as the government began to lift lockdown restrictions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pizzaexpress.com/covid-19|title=A message from our Managing Director, Zoe Bowley|publisher=PizzaExpress|date=May 2020|access-date=30 May 2020|archive-date=25 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200525195726/https://www.pizzaexpress.com/covid-19|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/may/19/pizza-express-reopen-london-restaurants-delivery-coronavirus-lockdown|title=Pizza Express to reopen 13 London restaurants for delivery|work=[[The Guardian]]|first=Sarah|last=Butler|date=19 May 2020|access-date=30 May 2020|archive-date=29 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200529183023/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/may/19/pizza-express-reopen-london-restaurants-delivery-coronavirus-lockdown|url-status=live}}</ref> In July, it was announced that "dozens" of the closed restaurants would not be reopening. The restaurant group was reported to have a debt pile of £1.1 billion.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2020/07/16/pizza-express-close-dozens-restaurants/|title=Pizza Express to close dozens of restaurants|work=The Telegraph|last=Gill|first=Oliver|date=16 July 2020|access-date=16 July 2020|archive-date=17 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717015449/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2020/07/16/pizza-express-close-dozens-restaurants/|url-status=live}}</ref> The next month, it was announced that the company was set to close around 67 restaurants throughout the UK and also cut 1,100 jobs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-53635238|title=Pizza Express may close 67 outlets and cut 1,100 jobs|publisher=[[BBC News]]|date=4 August 2020|access-date=4 August 2020|archive-date=4 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804105059/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-53635238|url-status=live}}</ref>

In July 2020, the business was taken over by its bondholders under a debt-for-equity swap with previous owner Hony Capital.<ref name="Private Equity News"/> It was confirmed in September that 73 of its restaurants would close permanently, including the chain's first-ever branch in Wardour Street.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2020-09-08 |title=The full list of Pizza Express closures, and why the restaurants are being forced to shut |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/consumer/pizza-express-closures-list-full-restaurants-closing-which-jobs-cva-agreement-635681 |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=inews.co.uk |language=en}}</ref> In November 2020, the group completed restructuring and its debt was reduced by more than £400 million.<ref name="The Times">{{Cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/ireland-world/article/allan-leighton-to-be-pizza-express-chairman-after-restructuring-999dtr8h0 |title=Allan Leighton to be Pizza Express chairman after restructuring |website=[[The Times]] |location=London |last1=Walsh |first1=Dominic |access-date=16 December 2020 |archive-date=19 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119201714/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/allan-leighton-to-be-pizza-express-chairman-after-restructuring-999dtr8h0 |url-status=live }}</ref> A further 23 branches were earmarked for closure in January 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PIZZA EXPRESS IS SET TO CLOSE 23 MORE RESTAURANTS IN THE UK |url=https://www.nextproperty.co.uk/blog/07607c87-bff6-4655-87d9-693187da443a |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=Next Property |language=en-GB |archive-date=21 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621134815/https://www.nextproperty.co.uk/blog/07607c87-bff6-4655-87d9-693187da443a |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Ownership==

Privately owned since its foundation in 1965 for 28 years, PizzaExpress was acquired from Peter Boizot and Ronald Simson by [[Luke Johnson (businessman)|Luke Johnson]], David Page and [[Hugh Osmond]] in 1993, with Johnson and Osmond becoming non-executive directors. The company was floated on the London Stock Exchange at the same time in 1993. The two major individual shareholders were Peter Boizot and David Page. Wholly owned restaurants then opened rapidly across the UK. The company-owned restaurants grew from 23 in number at flotation to over 300 in 2003. Boizot remained as chairman for the first three years of the public company. The 32 UK franchisees were then bought back en masse in 1996. 

[[TDR Capital]] and Capricorn Associates then bought the company in 2003, turning it private again.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.efinancialnews.com/story/2003-06-13/tdr-and-capricorn-clinch-pizzaexpress-deal|title=TDR and Capricorn clinch PizzaExpress deal|author=Michael Hoare|work=efinancialnews.com|access-date=3 April 2015|archive-date=9 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150409034749/http://www.efinancialnews.com/story/2003-06-13/tdr-and-capricorn-clinch-pizzaexpress-deal|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2005, PizzaExpress re-floated on the London Stock Exchange, as part of Gondola Holdings.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aRJ.oPMl3j28&refer=uk|title=Gondola, PizzaExpress Owner, Raises $240 Mln in IPO (Update1)|publisher=Bloomberg L.P.|access-date=3 April 2015|date=2 November 2005|archive-date=25 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525043307/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aRJ.oPMl3j28&refer=uk|url-status=live}}</ref> It was then bought by [[private equity]] group [[Cinven]] as the [[Gondola Group]] in 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scotsman.com/business/media-tech-leisure/cinven-buys-pizza-express-owner-in-163-900m-deal-1-1143452|title=Cinven buys Pizza Express owner in £900m deal|work=scotsman.com|access-date=3 April 2015|archive-date=9 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150409123802/http://www.scotsman.com/business/media-tech-leisure/cinven-buys-pizza-express-owner-in-163-900m-deal-1-1143452|url-status=live}}</ref> On 12 July 2014 it was announced that Chinese group [[Hony Capital]] had bought PizzaExpress for £900&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/10963631/Chinas-Hony-buys-Pizza-Express-for-900m.html|title=China's Hony buys Pizza Express for £900m|date=12 July 2014|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=3 April 2015|location=London|first=Ashley|last=Armstrong|archive-date=15 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715030645/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/10963631/Chinas-Hony-buys-Pizza-Express-for-900m.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In July 2020, the business was taken over by its bondholders under a debt-for-equity swap with previous owner Hony Capital.<ref name="Private Equity News"/> In November 2020, Hony Capital left the business and the group restructure completed, helping to cut the casual dining chain's debt by more than £400 million.<ref name="The Times"/>

==Fare==
Since its foundation, PizzaExpress has specialised primarily in handmade [[pizza]] in the traditional Italian style.

PizzaExpress introduced the lighter pizza Leggera, the first pizza range on the high street that contains around 500 calories.<ref>{{cite web |first=Becky |last=Paskin |url=http://www.bighospitality.co.uk/New-Products/Pizza-Express-launches-healthy-salad-pizza-range |title=Pizza Express launches healthy 'salad' pizza range |website=BigHospitality |publisher=William Reed Business Media |date=17 March 2009 |access-date=28 January 2015 |archive-date=8 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108042140/http://www.bighospitality.co.uk/New-Products/Pizza-Express-launches-healthy-salad-pizza-range |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2008, PizzaExpress started a Guest Chef Series with chef [[Theo Randall]], of Theo Randall at [[InterContinental London]], creating exclusive dishes for its menu.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eatoutmagazine.co.uk/online_article/Theo-Randall-joins-forces-with-Pizza-Express-/4684 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100921130634/http://www.eatoutmagazine.co.uk/online_article/Theo-Randall-joins-forces-with-Pizza-Express-/4684 |archive-date=21 September 2010 |website=Eat Out Magazine |title=Theo Randall Joins Forces With Pizza Express |date=29 September 2008 |publisher=Dewbury Redpoint}}</ref> Francesco Mazzei, of L'Anima, came on board in 2010 to develop a menu inspired by the cuisine of [[Calabria]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thecaterer.com/news/restaurant/italian-chef-francesco-mazzei-creates-dishes-for-pizza-express |title=Catering & Hospitality News |website=The Caterer |publisher=Jacobs Media Group |date=19 November 2009 |first=Kerstin |last=Kühn |access-date=20 February 2020 |archive-date=20 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220162336/https://www.thecaterer.com/news/restaurant/italian-chef-francesco-mazzei-creates-dishes-for-pizza-express |url-status=live }}</ref>

The celebrity chef series continued in 2012 with the introduction of two pizzas made by television cook [[Valentine Warner]]. Warner introduced the fennel and salami pizza and the [[Spaghetti alla puttanesca|puttanesca]] pizza.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eatoutmagazine.co.uk/online_article/TV-cook-Valentine-Warner-collaborates-with-PizzaExpress-for-limited-edition-dishes/15542 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418214206/http://www.eatoutmagazine.co.uk/online_article/TV-cook-Valentine-Warner-collaborates-with-PizzaExpress-for-limited-edition-dishes/15542 |archive-date=18 April 2012 |website=Eat Out Magazine |title=TV Cook Valentine Warner Collaborates with PizzaExpress for Limited Edition Dishes |date=15 March 2012 |publisher=Dewbury Redpoint}}</ref>

==Music==
{{main|PizzaExpress Jazz Club}}
PizzaExpress has supported the [[jazz]] community from its early days when it opened its first [[jazz club]] in 1969 in [[Dean Street]], London. Since then, artists performing there have included [[Ella Fitzgerald]] and [[Amy Winehouse]], to supporting early performances by [[Norah Jones]] and [[Jamie Cullum]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jazzwisemagazine.com/jazz-gig-guide/venueevents/2 |title=Jazz News &#124; Jazzwise Magazine &#124; London |publisher=Jazzwise Magazine |access-date=28 January 2015 |archive-date=18 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140218125631/http://www.jazzwisemagazine.com/jazz-gig-guide/venueevents/2 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Za==
'''Za''' is a brand of PizzaExpress offering a more casual version of the pizzeria in the United Kingdom.
The first restaurant was launched at the Fenchurch Street site in February 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://london.eater.com/2019/1/16/18184989/pizza-express-casual-dining-crisis-za-takeaway|title=Pizza Express Confronts Casual Dining Crisis With a Pizza Cutter|first=Adam|last=Coghlan|date=16 January 2019|website=Eater London|access-date=14 June 2019|archive-date=28 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528090500/https://london.eater.com/2019/1/16/18184989/pizza-express-casual-dining-crisis-za-takeaway|url-status=live}}</ref> The opening of Za is part of a five-year plan to refresh and improve the brand, called Future Express.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bighospitality.co.uk/Article/2019/01/17/PizzaExpress-to-launch-Za|title=PizzaExpress to enter food to go sector|website=bighospitality.co.uk|access-date=14 June 2019|archive-date=21 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921000407/https://www.bighospitality.co.uk/Article/2019/01/17/PizzaExpress-to-launch-Za|url-status=live}}</ref> 
The menu is centered on PizzaExpress pizzas, sold by the slice, but also with the same toppings available in a wrap made from PizzaExpress dough. The brand focuses on breakfast, with flat breads, bacon, eggs or spinach. Piadina and salads form part of the lunch menu and the site is fully licensed.
The Fenchurch Street test location closed in December 2019, but PizzaExpress have committed to bringing Za back in a different location as of 2022.

Za no longer operates as a brand as of 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=restaurantonline.co.uk |date=2019-12-13 |title=PizzaExpress to close Za spin-off site |url=https://www.restaurantonline.co.uk/Article/2019/12/13/PizzaExpress-to-close-Za-spin-off-site |access-date=2023-11-20 |website=restaurantonline.co.uk |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Design and art==
Peter Boizot commissioned Italian restaurant designer and [[cartoonist]] [[Enzo Apicella]] in the 1960s to design the PizzaExpress identity and over 80 restaurants.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slammedmagazine.com/inthisissue/july-2004/feature.php |title=Meeting of the Minds |work=Slammed Magazine |date=July 2004 |access-date=28 January 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110226052030/http://www.slammedmagazine.com/inthisissue/july-2004/feature.php |archive-date=26 February 2011 }}</ref>

In 2002, PizzaExpress launched PizzaExpress Prospects Contemporary Art Prize with [[pop art]]ist [[Peter Blake (artist)|Peter Blake]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Imogen |last=Tilden |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2002/may/22/artsfeatures3 |title=Drip paint work wins drawing prize |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=22 May 2002 |access-date=28 January 2015 |location=London |archive-date=9 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140909131724/http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2002/may/22/artsfeatures3 |url-status=live }}</ref> Peter Blake's connection with PizzaExpress was extended when he donated 26 original pieces to the [[Chiswick]] restaurant where he had been a regular customer since 1981.

PizzaExpress created a 'Living Lab' in October 2010, in [[Richmond, London|Richmond]], trialling new ideas from design to sound, collaborating with designer Ab Rogers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dezeen.com/2011/01/05/living-lab-by-ab-rogers-for-pizza-express/ |title=Living Lab by Ab Rogers for Pizza Express |first=Rose |last=Etherington |publisher=Dezeen |date=5 January 2011 |access-date=28 January 2015 |archive-date=23 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923214450/http://www.dezeen.com/2011/01/05/living-lab-by-ab-rogers-for-pizza-express/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Philanthropy==
PizzaExpress introduced the Pizza Veneziana in 1977 to help save [[Venice]] from sinking by donating 5p of every pizza sold to the [[Venice in Peril Fund]]. Over the years the amount donated from each pizza has increased to 25p.<ref name="independent1"/> From 2008, donations from the Veneziana pizza go to the Veneziana Fund, where 50% is donated to the Venice in Peril Fund and 50% is given to the restoration, repair and maintenance of buildings, fixtures and fittings of buildings and works of art created before 1750.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pwwsolicitors.co.uk/charitable-applications/charity-details/the-veneziana-fund |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111026080655/http://www.pwwsolicitors.co.uk/charitable-applications/charity-details/the-veneziana-fund |archive-date=26 October 2011 |title=The Veneziana Fund |website=Pothecary Witham Weld Solicitors}}</ref>

In 1999, PizzaExpress introduced its Schools Programme, a programme where the company turns its restaurants into classrooms, educating children about fresh ingredients, how to run a local business and how to cook for themselves.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cinven.com/aboutus/communicatingwithourstakeholders.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110314230150/http://www.cinven.com/aboutus/communicatingwithourstakeholders.asp |archive-date=14 March 2011 |title=Our portfolio companies and corporate responsibility |website=Cinven}}</ref>

In 2016, PizzaExpress launched its partnership with [[Macmillan Cancer Support]], with a discretionary 25p donation from every Padana pizza sold going to help Macmillan provide essential financial, emotional, medical and practical support for people affected by cancer. As of May 2017, the partnership has raised over £500,000.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://fundraising.co.uk/2017/05/22/pizza-express-raises-500000-macmillan-one-year/#.WgvtiBO0Pdc|title=Pizza Express raises £500,000 for Macmillan in one year|date=2017-05-22|work=UK Fundraising|access-date=2017-11-15|language=en-GB|archive-date=6 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606141408/https://fundraising.co.uk/2017/05/22/pizza-express-raises-500000-macmillan-one-year/#.WgvtiBO0Pdc|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Controversy==

In 2008, the company was reported as taking an 8% cut of tips paid via credit card.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hickman|first1=Usborne|last2=Martin|first2=Simon|title=Revealed: how the restaurant chains pocket your tips|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/revealed-how-the-restaurant-chains-pocket-your-tips-867634.html|access-date=29 December 2017|work=The Independent|date=14 July 2008|archive-date=29 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229112720/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/revealed-how-the-restaurant-chains-pocket-your-tips-867634.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Pizza Express}}
* {{official website|https://www.pizzaexpress.com/}}

{{Restaurants in London}}

{{UK Food}}
{{Pizza chains}}
{{portalbar|Companies}}
{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pizzaexpress}}
[[Category:Restaurant chains in the United Kingdom]]

[[Category:1965 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Pizza chains of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Restaurants established in 1965]]
[[Category:Restaurant chains in Ireland]]
[[Category:Pizza franchises]]
[[Category:British companies established in 1965]]
[[Category:2014 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:British subsidiaries of foreign companies]]
[[Category:Private equity portfolio companies]]