Telepizza Stengthens its Presence in Russia: Converts 15 Stores in Saint Petersburg and Becomes The Market Leader in the Northwest of the Country

• Telepizza has completed the conversion of 15 stores in Saint Petersburg through a Master Franchise agreement with WWP, becoming the market leader in the region
• Telepizza's Master Franchisee WWP, one of the largest QSR operators in the country, has ambitious plans to open another 16 stores within the next three years focusing their investments in the North West of the Russian Market

MADRID, Oct. 19, 2017 /CNW/ - Telepizza pushes ahead in its international strategy, this time in the Russian market, with the master franchise agreement with WorldWide Pizzas Plc (WWP), one of the largest Quick Services Restaurant (QSR) operators in the country, with an extensive experience in international brands development.

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The plans of the largest non-USA pizza delivery company, together with its partner, are ambitious and with long-term prospects, focusing the investments in Saint Petersburg and the Northwest federal district. The rapid expansion programme began with the conversion of 15 stores from an US pizza brand to Telepizza in Saint Petersburg. The opening of the first 15 stores in Saint Petersburg will complete with the opening of 16 more in three years, which will allow Telepizza to consolidate in the region and lead the Northwest market with 30 stores in 2019.

The operation strengthens Telepizza's international strategy, which is focused on the growth in markets where it is currently operating and entering new markets, either organically, through acquisitions of local companies or via master franchises.

Flexibility and local knowledge, keys for international growth

Telepizza has a solid model and a recognized and consolidated brand, scalable to different markets with a wide degree of flexibility for the franchisee.

President of International at Telepizza, Giorgio Minardi, comments: "We look forward to continuing our relationship with WWP, who have helped us achieve our ambitious global growth plans through their extensive local knowledge and expertise in this key market. This new opening shows our ability to adapt and respond accordingly to local consumers in various markets, which is key to our success."

"The flexibility of its franchising model, with its response capacity, the support of an experienced team and the quality service, are key elements investors that are interested in growing along with Telepizza in markets with growth potential. Its distinguished brand concept and the high degree of product innovation -freshly quality handmade pizzas in a Mediterranean style -, have been crucial when selecting a new partner," says Darrin J. Stock (CEO).

Russia is a strategic market for Telepizza due to the remarkable growth of the QSR category and more specifically in pizza consumer foodservice, where the presence of international brands has substantially increased in the last years.

Telepizza Group:

We are the largest non-U.S.-based pizza delivery company in the world by number of stores. Headquartered in Madrid, Spain, Telepizza operates in more than 20 countries through a network of own stores, franchisees and master franchisees, with 1,440 stores globally, including 469 own stores (33%) and 971 franchised and master franchised stores (67%) as of 30 June, 2017.

Including our U.S.-based competitors, we are the fourth largest global player in pizza delivery in terms of number of stores. We are the market leader in our core markets by number of stores (number one in Spain, Portugal, Chile and Colombia and number two in Poland).

The total sales within our network, including own stores, franchisees and master franchisees, are recorded as chain sales, which amounted to €541.2 million in the twelve months ended 30 June 2017.

Telepizza listed on the Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid and Valencia stock exchanges with its shares starting trading on 27 April 2016. The total number of shares is 100,720,679.

SOURCE Telepizza