Gourmet Gulf, the UAE-based food and beverage company, has unveiled its first, solely-owned brand, Pizzeria Cucina.
United Arab Emirates:
The traditional style pizza company will be launched GCC-wide and represents another top-tier addition to the ever-increasing Gourmet Gulf portfolio.
The home-grown franchise will debut in Kuwait this month (June 2006) at the Marina Mall and a second branch will open in Kuwait City in February 2007. The concept will then be rolled out across the GCC in line with Gourmet Gulf’s expansion initiative.
Having been under development for the past two years Gourmet Gulf has now secured trademark registration and copyright for the Pizzeria Cucina brand.
Gourmet Gulf projections show that every new outlet across the GCC will cost in the region of US$400,000. The store-opening figure is inclusive of pre-operational and internal ops costs, such as construction and extensive training programs and the fitting-out of each store with traditionally-built stone ovens and the latest in designer crockery and tableware.
A world-famous Knightsbridge pizzeria has provided the ingredients for Pizzeria Cucina to flourish, with renowned Head Chef, Raffaele Russo, and consulting Executive Chef Giuseppe Silvestri, on board to develop the authenticity of the Pizzeria Cucina concept.
Russo, a native of the ‘birthplace’ of pizza, Naples, comes from four generations of Italian chefs and is determined to bring ‘classic pizza’ credibility to Pizzeria Cucina, which will be built on the foundation of freshness – both in terms of quality of produce and brand originality.
‘My father owned a pizzeria in Northern Italy and swore by the freshness of his produce in the sustenance of quality. This lesson now forms the basis of the Pizzeria Cucina brand,’ said Russo.
Gourmet Gulf is committed to establishing Pizzeria Cucina, along with its other franchises, YO! Sushi, Gourmet Burger Kitchen and Morelli’s Gelato, into recognised brands throughout the GCC.
Managing Director, Gourmet Gulf, Sami K Daud, explained, ‘The Middle East hospitality industry is an increasingly competitive arena yet we are confident Pizzeria Cucina’s key principle of classic, quality pizzas made from the freshest and finest ingredients, for exceptional value for money, will earn us a significant slice of the market.”
‘The grand opening in Kuwait will provide an insight into how successful this franchise can become and whether, as we hope, it has the capabilities of competing in the Middle East market,’ added Daud.
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