In a country where pizza parlors are as ubiquitous as street vendors, The Pizza Bakery has managed to captivate the hearts and taste buds of India. This extraordinary feat is the result of an enchanting combination of passion, dedication, and an unyielding pursuit of excellence. What truly sets The Pizza Bakery apart in a market saturated with pizza options is its signature Neapolitan-style pies, each delivering an authentic taste of Naples with every irresistible bite.
However, The Pizza Bakery is more than just a pizza joint; it’s an immersive gastronomic journey. It’s about savoring the rich flavors of thoughtfully chosen ingredients, inhaling the enticing aroma of wood-fired sourdough crusts, and relishing the pleasure of indulging in a culinary masterpiece crafted with love and dedication.
Beyond the delectable offerings, The Pizza Bakery’s commitment to quality is nothing short of remarkable. The establishment’s consistent recognition, including winning the Times Food Awards for ‘Best Pizza’ in both 2022 and 2023, attests to the fact that their devotion to excellence has not gone unnoticed.
Recently, in an interview with Snackfax, Nikhil Gupta, Co-Founder of The Pizza Bakery, shared the inspiring story of how he and his brother Abhijit built this thriving pizza bakery from the ground up, starting with just one location in Bangalore. In addition to their pizza venture, they have also ventured into another culinary realm with ‘Paris Panini,’ a brand delivering gourmet-style street French food.
Here are the edited excerpts..
SnackFax: How is Consumer Behavior changing in terms of dining preferences? Are consumers becoming more inclined towards dining out and ordering in rather than staying at home? And, specifically, what are your thoughts on the importance of freshness when it comes to enjoying food, such as Napolean pizza?
Nikhil Gupta: I believe that COVID-19 has significantly transformed consumer behavior, including within our own company. Before the pandemic, our primary focus was on dine-in services, with delivery accounting for only a small portion of our business. However, when COVID-19 struck, we had to adapt and became primarily a delivery-oriented establishment for the majority of the year.
Even as we move beyond the pandemic, there has been a notable shift in people’s comfort levels with having items delivered to their homes. Whether it’s through platforms like Swiggy, Zomato, Dunzo, Zepto, or others, consumers have grown increasingly accustomed to the convenience of home delivery. This shift has effectively transformed the market into a more delivery-centric one.
He added, “There’s truly nothing quite like the experience of savoring a piping-hot pizza fresh out of the oven. The unmatched freshness and texture are hard to replicate, especially considering that deliveries usually take around 20 minutes, which can slightly diminish the pizza’s texture and taste. Nevertheless, people are generally accepting of this trade-off because of the sheer convenience of having it delivered right to their doorstep.
However, if you’re trying pizza for the first time, I would highly recommend visiting the pizzeria in person. There’s just no substitute for the unparalleled delight of enjoying a pizza at its freshest, right from the outset.”
SnackFax: What’s your approach to ensuring scalability and maintaining ingredient consistency, especially when dealing with highly specialized cuisines?
Nikhil Gupta: Today, there’s a growing demand for premium-quality food, but when you invest in premium products, you rightfully expect them to meet high standards. However, on the producer’s side, various challenges persist. The key question today revolves around who is willing to offer the highest salaries to ensure top-notch nutrition. With elevated nutrition levels, the significance of training becomes paramount. Simultaneously, integrating technology is essential to streamline processes, especially when working with a less skilled labor force.
SnackFax: As a Founder, contemplating the opening of the next outlet necessitates a careful consideration of both the financial aspects and consumer retention. How do you approach this qualitatively?
Nikhil Gupta: Expanding to a new city brings forth an entirely new set of challenges. Currently, I believe we have numerous untapped opportunities right here in Bangalore, our home base. We have a substantial presence in this city with approximately 500 employees, making it more manageable to address and further solidify our company’s stability. Once we’ve achieved that, we’ll explore opportunities in other cities with promising prospects for our business.
Furthermore, at the end of his remarks, Nikhil also highlighted the brand’s agility. This agility doesn’t involve blindly chasing every trend but rather entails a continuous reassessment of their food offerings. They take customer feedback seriously and make weekly changes to their menu based on these insights.
Moreover, recognizing the growing trend towards health-conscious choices in 2023, The Pizza Place is also taking steps to incorporate vegan items into their menu. They aim to introduce a comprehensive range of vegan products. In each slice, The Pizza Bakery shares a piece of their passion, inviting you to embark on a culinary journey unlike any other. In India, The Pizza Bakery is beloved not only for its pizzas but also for its unwavering dedication to craftsmanship, quality, and, most importantly, the joy of sharing the finest sourdough pizza ever crafted.
