Family firm behind Scottish chip shop favourite sees ‘years of hard work’ pay off

Victor Pizza was founded in the 1970s as a small family bakery and has grown into a £5 million business. Best known for originating the “pizza fritto”, which has become a chip shop favourite across Scotland, the company has become a familiar name in the Scottish food industry while expanding its wholesale reach across the UK and Ireland.

The new 24,500-square-foot Coatbridge facility was officially opened at an event attended by partners, customers and stakeholders. Scottish Enterprise chief executive Adrian Gillespie cut the ribbon as guest of honour.

Backed by a seven-figure funding package from Bank of Scotland and a £750,000 grant from Scottish Enterprise, the expansion move will enable the business to increase efficiency, meet growing demand and continue developing new products.

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Anne Marie Cairney, co-founder at Victor Pizza, said: “Officially opening the doors in Coatbridge is a really proud moment for all of us. This factory represents years of hard work from the whole team and gives us the room, equipment and confidence to keep growing.

“We’ve always been ambitious, but we’ve never wanted to lose what makes Victor Pizza special. As we take this next step we’re still the same family business at heart - focused on making great products, looking after our people and creating opportunities in the communities we’re part of.”

Martyn Kendrick, regional director for Scotland at Bank of Scotland, said: “It’s fantastic to see Victor Pizza officially open its new Coatbridge factory and take such an important step in its growth journey.

“Anne Marie and the team have built a business with real purpose, combining innovation with a strong commitment to its people and local community. The new site gives Victor Pizza the capacity to meet increasing demand and pursue new opportunities, and we’re pleased to have supported the business as it enters this exciting next chapter.”

Gillespie added: “This official opening is a significant milestone for Victor Pizza, a fantastic example of an ambitious Scottish family business that we’ve supported over the last seven years. Anne Marie and her team have built a strong culture of innovation that is fuelling its continued growth, creating vital local employment opportunities as well as positioning it for ongoing success.”

Guests at the official opening also included local councillors Alex McVey and Frank McKay, industry bodies such as FDF Scotland and Scottish Engineering and partners including Bank of Scotland, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and North Lanarkshire Council.

Guests were given guided tours of the factory, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the investment made into the site and the capabilities that will help the business expand further into wholesale markets while continuing to develop its own-brand range, school-compliant pizzas supplied to local authorities and its Eat Balanced seaweed-based products.

The firm is working closely with North Lanarkshire Council and Routes to Work to create opportunities for local people, particularly younger locals looking to take their first step into manufacturing and food production.