Kotipizza: Difference between revisions

{{short description|Finnish pizza restaurant chain}}

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| revenue = EUR 151,400,000 (2020)<ref name=yritysinfo>{{Cite web|title=Kotipizza - Yritysinfo|url=https://www.kotipizza.fi/franchise/yritysinfo|access-date=2021-04-15|website=www.kotipizza.fi}}</ref>

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| parent = [[Kotipizza Group]]

| homepage = {{URL|www.kotipizza.fi}}

'''Kotipizza Oyj''' is the largest [[pizza]] [[restaurant chain]] in the [[Nordic countries]]. ''{{lang|fi|Koti}}'' is [[Finnish language|Finnish]] and translates as "home". Kotipizzaispart of [[Kotipizza Group]], and it operates a chain of pizza franchises in Finland. In 2021, there were 290 Kotipizza restaurantsinFinland.<ref name=yritysinfo/> Its head office is in [[Helsinki]], [[Finland]].

==History==

Kotipizza was founded in 1987 by [[Rabbe Grönblom]] in [[Vaasa]], Finland.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.pohjalainen.fi/uutiset/maakunta/ensimm%C3%A4iselle-kotipizzalle-uusi-yritt%C3%A4j%C3%A4-1.1012105|title=Ensimmäiselle Kotipizzalle uusi yrittäjä|last=Oy|first=I-Mediat|work=Pohjalainen|access-date=2018-06-19|language=fi}}</ref>

In 1992 there were 100 Kotipizza restaurants. In 1995, a shop-in-shop concept that reduced the start-up costs of a new location was taken into use together with the [[Neste Oil]] service station chain. By 1996 there were 200 Kotipizza restaurants.<ref name="listalleottoesite">{{Cite web|url=https://uusi.op.fi/documents/20556/65057/Kotipizza+Group+Oyj+esite.pdf/e9ea24fa-bd6d-429f-aa0d-9b46f4569e5e|title=Listalleottoesite, Kotipizza Group|website=uusiop.fi}}</ref>

In the 21st century Kotipizza's motto was ''"Pizza, Love & Understanding"''. In 2008, Grönblom's family company sold the majority of Kotipizza to a company founded by Kotipizza employees.<ref name="IS27112015">{{Cite news|url=https://www.is.fi/taloussanomat/art-2000001896613.html|title=Pizzakeisari Rabbe Grönblomin kuolinpesä hakeutumassa konkurssiin|date=2015-11-27|work=Ilta-Sanomat|access-date=2018-06-19|language=fi-FI}}</ref> Next year, Kotipizza started a cooperation with the Teboil service station chain.<ref name="listalleottoesite"/>

By the end of 2010, the Kotipizza chain constituted some 281 restaurants in over 130 municipalities.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kauppalehti.fi/omayritys/kotipizza+kasvaa+uusilla+pitserioilla/20110469927 |title=Kotipizza kasvaa uusilla pitserioilla |language=fi |access-date=2015-03-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812211142/http://www.kauppalehti.fi/omayritys/kotipizza+kasvaa+uusilla+pitserioilla/20110469927 |archive-date=2014-08-12 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The most northern Kotipizza restaurant in Finland was located in [[Karigasniemi]] in the municipality of [[Utsjoki]].{{ref?|date=April 2021}}

In 2011, Grönblom returned as the chief shareholder of the company, but by August 2011, he had already sold three quarters of his shares in Kotipizza to Finnish private equity company Sentica Partners and remained a minority shareholder, with a one-fifth share, of the company.<ref name="IS27112015"/>

In 2012 Tommi Tervanen became the CEO of Kotipizza and began renewing the chain. The restaurants’ interior design was updated, and the origin of ingredients was highlighted more than before.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-02-23|title=Suomi ahmii pikaruokaa enemmän kuin koskaan – Kotimaiset ketjut pyrkivät nyt maailmalle|url=https://suomenkuvalehti.fi/jutut/kotimaa/suomi-ahmii-pikaruokaa-enemman-kuin-koskaan-kotimaiset-ketjut-pyrkivat-nyt-maailmalle/|access-date=2021-04-15|website=Suomenkuvalehti.fi|language=fi}}</ref> The overall revenue of the Kotipizza restaurant chain was 72 million [[euro]]. Over 95% of the Kotipizza restaurants in [[Finland]] were operated by [[franchising|francisees]]. In addition to Finland, Kotipizza restaurants were found in [[Saint Petersburg]], [[Estonia]] and in [[China]] in [[Suzhou]], near [[Shanghai]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080413172300/http://www.kotipizza.fi/Default.aspx?id=503846 Kotipizza information], April 2013</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130822035159/http://trinity.siteadmin.fi/file.aspx?id=344538&ext=pdf&routing=312099&webid=312101&name=Toiminta%20kertomus%202003&width=&height= Operations report 2003], April 2013</ref>

In 2014, Grönblom handed over the ownership of the company completely.<ref name="IS27112015"/>

In the financial year 2016, the total sales of Kotipizza restaurants amounted to EUR 90 million with net sales of EUR 67 million.<ref name="HS06062017">{{Cite news|url=https://www.hs.fi/talous/art-2000005242585.html|title=Pitsojen myynti on sujunut alkuvuonna odotettua paremmin – Kotipizza antoi positiivisen tulosvaroituksen|date=2017-06-06|work=Helsingin Sanomat|access-date=2018-06-19|language=fi-FI}}</ref>

In December 2017, the Kotipizza chain's monthly sales exceeded EUR 10 million for the first time.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kauppalehti.fi/uutiset/kotipizzan-kuukausimyynti-kasvoi-yli-10-miljoonaan/3VvgKNPV|title=Kotipizzan kuukausimyynti kasvoi yli 10 miljoonaan|website=kauppalehti.fi|access-date=2018-06-19}}</ref>

In April 2018, the same-store sales of comparable Kotipizza restaurants (240 restaurants) had increased for 37 months in a row.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kauppalehti.fi/uutiset/kotipizzan-ylamaki-jatkuu--myynti-on-kasvanut-nyt-37-kuukautta-perakkain/SpLb2FCD|title=Kotipizzan ylämäki jatkuu - myynti on kasvanut nyt 37 kuukautta peräkkäin|website=www.kauppalehti.fi|access-date=2018-06-19}}</ref> The number of restaurants stood at 260.<ref name="Kotipizzafi">{{Cite web|url=https://www3.kotipizza.fi/|title=Tietoa Kotipizzasta {{!}} Kotipizza|website=www3.kotipizza.fi|language=en|access-date=2018-06-19}}</ref> In November 2018 European food manufacturer [[Orkla ASA|Orkla]] announced that it will acquire Kotipizza's owner, Kotipizza Group.<ref name="justfood20181122">{{Cite web|url=https://www.just-food.com/news/orkla-to-buy-pizza-restaurant-chain-kotipizza_id140487.aspx|title=Orkla to buy pizza restaurant chain Kotipizza|date=2018-11-22|website=www.just-food.com|access-date=2019-02-19}}</ref>

In 2020 Kotipizza’s overall revenue was 151 million euros, 13.6% more than in the previous year. The growth was generated by increased online sales and home delivery. Over 40 % of all transactions happened via the chain’s online store.<ref name=AL20210314>{{Cite web|date=2021-03-14|title=Poikkeuksellisen moni tilaa ruokaa nyt kotiin – Ravintolat ja lähettipalvelut kertovat: pienin tilaus voi olla jäätelö, jotkut päivät ovat "ruoan tykitystä pihalle"|url=https://www.aamulehti.fi/uutiset/art-2000007853404.html|access-date=2021-04-15|website=Aamulehti|language=fi}}</ref>

In February 2021, online sales amounted to 45 % of Kotipizza’s total sales.<ref name=AL20210314/>

==Business==

In 2021, Kotipizza operated only in Finland, and all 290 restaurants were run by franchisees.<ref name=yritysinfo/> Some restaurants offer delivery and accept online or phone orders. The home delivery restaurants utilise the home delivery concept created in cooperation with the chain's franchisees. Built-in heat boxes in delivery vehicles keep pizzas at 60 degrees Celsius even for an hour.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://tekniikanmaailma.fi/kia-rakensi-mittatilausautot-kotipizzalle-16-pizzaa-pysyy-60-asteisina-jopa-tunnin-ajan/|title=Kia rakensi mittatilausautot Kotipizzalle - 16 pizzaa pysyy 60-asteisina jopa tunnin ajan - Tekniikanmaailma.fi|date=2018-01-04|work=Tekniikanmaailma.fi|access-date=2018-06-19|language=fi-FI}}</ref>

==Products==

In 2016, 62 per cent of all ingredients used at Kotipizza restaurants came from Finland. For instance, the million kilograms of cheese used by the chain was acquired from 70 [[Valio]] dairy farms located in the area of [[Lapinlahti]], Finland.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hs.fi/talous/art-2000002895585.html|title=Kotipizza-ketju kasvaa markkinavauhtia nopeammin – meksikolaisia Chalupa-ravintoloita perustetaan lisää|date=2016-04-11|work=Helsingin Sanomat|access-date=2018-06-19|language=fi-FI}}</ref>

In 2014, the most popular pizza of the Kotipizza chain was Perfetta, for which four pizza toppings are picked freely. The second most popular pizza was Special Opera, a pizza with ham, salami and tuna. The third most popular pizza was Americana, which includes [[Aura cheese]], ham and [[pineapple]]. Furthermore, Tropicana, Kotzone Chicken (i.e. a folded pizza base with salad and other toppings), Opera, Quattro Stagioni, Bolognese, Mexicana and Burger were among the top 10 products.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.is.fi/ruokala/uutiset/art-2000000739622.html|title=Nämä ovat Kotipizzan myydyimmät pizzat|date=2014-04-08|work=Ilta-Sanomat|access-date=2018-06-19|language=fi-FI}}</ref>

In 2018, the top 10 most sold products via Kotipizza's online store were Perfetta, Custom Monster, Special Opera, Americana, Kotzone Chicken, Tropicana, Custom Kotzone, Meat Master, Quattro Stagioni and Texas Monster. Monster is a product developed by Kotipizza which includes dough sticks on a pizza. In the Helsinki metropolitan area and in larger cities, Kotipizza sold significantly more [[Vegetarian nutrition|vegetarian]] pizzas and toppings (such as [[Härkis]] bean protein and [[falafel]]) than anywhere else in Finland.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.iltalehti.fi/ruoka-artikkelit/201801082200639875_rh.shtml|title=Top 10: Tilatuimmat ruoat - yksi pizza ylitse muiden!|access-date=2018-06-19|language=fi-FI}}</ref>

In 2019, the most popular toppings ordered via Kotipizza’s online store were pineapple, ham, pepperoni and blue cheese.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kuuluuko ananas pizzaan? Kyllä kuuluu, sanoo Suomen kansa|url=https://www.iltalehti.fi/ruoka-artikkelit/a/ece75b76-a89d-4c46-ac67-57861b36db91|access-date=2021-04-15|website=www.iltalehti.fi|language=fi}}</ref>

===Pizza Berlusconi===

''Pizza Berlusconi'' is Kotipizza's product name for a pizza with smoked [[reindeer]], [[tomato sauce]], [[cheese]], [[chanterelle]] mushrooms and [[red onion]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Berlusconi |url=https://www.kotipizza.fi/tuotteet/pizzat/berlusconi |language=fi |access-date=29 August 2019 }}</ref>

Kotipizza named the pizza after [[Prime Minister of Italy|Italian Prime Minister]] [[Silvio Berlusconi]] in their summer 2008 ad campaign and menu. Berlusconi had caused a minor [[diplomatic incident]] in 2005, when he said that he had had to "endure" [[Finnish cuisine]], and joked disparagingly about Finns eating "marinated [[reindeer]]". Although marinated reindeer is a common dish in [[Lapland (Finland)|Lapland]], in the rest of Finland the meat is traditionally stewed or dried.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.corriere.it/english/articoli/2008/06_Giugno/12/finland_pizza_berlusconi.shtml |title=Reindeer Pizza Named after Berlusconi |publisher=Corriere.it |date=2008-06-13 |access-date=2013-04-03}}</ref>

==Recognition==

*Kotipizza has been chosen as the best franchising chain of the year in 1992, 2009 and 2017.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100223183838/http://www.kotipizza.fi/WebRoot/502837/Layout_2007.aspx?id=1104894 Kotipizza awarded as best franchising chain], 24 April 2009. Kotipizza website.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.franchising.fi/palkitsemistavat|title=Palkitsemistavat - Vuoden Franchisingketju, Vuoden Franchisingyrittäjä - 06/2018|last=Yhdistys|first=Suomen Franchising|website=www.franchising.fi|language=fi|access-date=2018-06-19}}</ref>

*In 2017, the Kotipizza chain received the [[Marine Stewardship Council|MSC]] ecolabel, confirming that all fish and seafood served by the chain come from sustainable sources and certified fisheries. Kotipizza was the first pizza chain in the world to be licensed to use the label. Products with the MSC ecolabel are guaranteed to have been responsibly caught by a certified [[sustainable fishery]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kauppalehti.fi/uutiset/kotipizza-sai-maailman-ensimmaisena-pizzaketjuna-msc-sertifikaatin/2u8NMg2e|title=Kotipizza sai maailman ensimmäisenä pizzaketjuna MSC-sertifikaatin|website=kauppalehti.fi|access-date=2018-06-19}}</ref>

*With Pizza Berlusconi, Kotipizza won the [[America's Plate International]] pizza contest in [[New York City]] in March 2008, beating the [[Italian-American]]s, who came in second place, and the [[Australia]]ns in third.<ref>{{cite web|title=Berlusconi-pizza kerää mainetta Italiassa |trans-title=Berlusconi Pizza gains fame in Italy |author=Anneli Hertsi |url=http://www.kauppalehti.fi/5/i/talous/uutiset/etusivu/uutinen.jsp?oid=12605&ext=rss |publisher=[[Kauppalehti]] |language=fi |date=15 June 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329165745/http://www.kauppalehti.fi/5/i/talous/uutiset/etusivu/uutinen.jsp?oid=12605&ext=rss |archive-date=March 29, 2012 }}</ref>

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{{reflist|30em}}

* {{commons category-inline|Kotipizza}}

* {{Official website|http://www.kotipizza.fi/}} {{in lang|fi}}

* [http://www.kotipizza.fi/fi/ Official home delivery site] {{in lang|fi}}

* D'Agosta, Alex. "[http://www.corriere.it/cronache/08_giugno_11/finlandia_pizza_renna_berlusconi_464cdb58-37be-11dd-a7f3-00144f02aabc.shtml Pizza alla renna, Berlusconi 'testimonial']." ''[[Corriere della Sera]]''. 11 June 2008. Last modified 12 June 2008. {{in lang|it}}

[[Category:1987 establishmentsinFinland]]