Tony Macaroni to create restaurant franchise network throughout the UK

Group MD Giuseppe Marini was particularly buoyant about the performance of his Livingston site which brought in more than £85,000 in sales in its first seven days of reopening in July

These are challenging times for the hospitality industry, but Tony Macaroni is perfectly positioned to come out even stronger and take advantage of the opportunities presented by newly available, quality sites right across the UK.

Tony Macaroni, which is part of the Viva Italia Group, opened its first restaurant in 2007. Since then, the group has expanded to having 19 restaurants under its umbrella and currently employs around 500 people across Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Pre-lockdown, Tony Macaroni was already delivering exceptional sales increases in units taken over from competitors, and the company’s takings in the first week back after lockdown have been nothing short of incredible. Group MD Giuseppe Marini was particularly buoyant about the performance of his Livingston site which brought in more than £85,000 in sales in its first seven days of reopening in July.

Marini said: “Our restaurants thrive because of their authenticity, consistency, superior menu, fresh ingredients and proven business model. We see the brand becoming a prized fixture in every city and large town across the UK – and whilst we will continue to open many more ourselves across Scotland, the time is right to offer experienced franchise operators, with the best locations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the chance to bring this much-loved brand into their portfolios.”

Tony Macaroni won the Best Italian Restaurant & Pizza Chef of the year at the prestigious Pizza and Pasta Industry Awards in 2018, which is no surprise when you consider its menu was carefully crafted by multi-award-winning consultant Chef Fabio Campoli. Fabio is one of Italy’s most respected chefs and has been presenting serious food shows on TV there for 20 years. Having worked on several Hollywood films including Mission Impossible, it’s no wonder that Fabio’s attention to detail and high standards have helped this established Scottish brand keep one step ahead of the competition.

Marini added: “Unlike so many other Italian restaurant brands where kitchen staff simply heat and plate, everything at Tony Macaroni is cooked to order under the direction of a head chef. Our customers know and appreciate the difference and it keeps them coming back time after time. The message we want to get across to potential franchise owners, is that Tony Macaroni delivers a high quality, authentic dining experience via a proven and very profitable business model – with the right sites, we will show them how to replicate our success and build a loyal following with local diners. Takeaway and delivery can add up to 20 per cent in sales, so this really is the perfect time to join our franchise network”.

A single unit Tony Macaroni franchise fee will be £25,000, with a royalty fee of 6 per cent and a marketing fee of 3 per cent.

The level of investment for the store fit out, equipment, stock, small wares and launch marketing package will range from approximately £250,000 to £750,000-plus VAT (including the initial franchise fee), depending on the size and location of the premises, seating capacity and level of refurbishment required.