Caprinos, the pizza brand with over 100 locations in the UK, is expanding to Ireland with the opening of its first store in Dublin. Over the next two years, the company plans to open a further five branches in the country as part of its expansion strategy of pursuing growth opportunities in international markets.
The pizza chain was founded by Khalil Rehman and Gul Nawaz, who leveraged their management experience in the food sector to launch Caprinos in Didcot, Oxfordshire in 2014. The duo spotted a gap in the market for a ‘challenger’ pizza brand that champions high-quality ingredients, innovative flavour combinations served at affordable prices.
Fully halal menu
Caprinos fully halal menu includes bestselling pizzas such as Asian Classic Mix with tandoori chicken, vegetarian supreme, and Caprinos special with tandoori chicken and spicy beef, as well as sides and salads, wraps, desserts and milkshakes. All of its ingredients and toppings are sourced from industry leading supplies, while its pizza dough is based on a unique and closely guarded recipe, said the franchisor.
The company explains that in 2017 it introduced its franchise model to scale up its UK position and create opportunities for like-minded, entrepreneurial franchisees and, by 2019, operated 15 sites across the Home Counties. Over the following five years it has grown to more than 100 UK outlets with three locations in Pakistan.
Nawaz and Rehman said they were excited to bring Caprinos to Ireland: “We believe our high quality, innovative and affordable proposition will be well received by local consumers and look forward to introducing them to Caprinos alongside our local franchisees.
“Our launch in Dublin also marks a significant moment for us. 10 years ago, we hatched a plan. Leveraging our expertise working in other franchised businesses, we wanted to put our skills to the test and start our own venture – and that was Caprinos.
“A decade on, we’re proud to have grown to more than 100 stores with a network of ambitious and entrepreneurial franchisees underpinned by our strong brand, operational excellence and community-led proposition.
“Now, as we look ahead, we have strong foundations – from our central production kitchen to our track record of successful new product development – to take Caprinos to the next level and cement it as a household name.”
Social responsibility programme
Reflecting its ethos that ‘doing good is good business’, Caprinos has an award-winning corporate social responsibility programme. Nationally, it partners with Lia’s Wings, a charity that provides hospital air transfers for children. It also encourages franchisees to support their local community with free pizzas for vulnerable groups, cooking workshops for children, and litter clean-ups.
Caprinos was recognised for its community focus by the Pizza, Pasta and Italian Food Industry Awards 2023 by winning the Community & Social Responsibility Award.
www.caprinospizza.co.uk/franchising
Posted: 11th March, 2025