Amalfi Pizza and Pasta opens first NQ store in Thuringowa Village shopping centre
From a single Melbourne store to 44 locations nationwide, a pizza chain’s expansion has reached NQ, with fresh pasta and midnight cravings on the menu. See where it opened.
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Townsville’s shift workers and fans of Italian food have been buzzing about a Melbourne pizza chain which has traded late into the night since opening its first North Queensland store in Kirwan.
Beginning as a single store in Melbourne in 2014, Amalfi Pizza and Pasta hit a sweet spot for Australian tastebuds, leading to a rapid nationwide expansion to open its 44th store at Thuringowa Village shopping centre in early July.
The Australian family-owned franchise offers pizzas, calzones, pastas, grills with parmigianas and schnitzels, salads, a range of sides, and tempting desserts including doughnut fries, puddings, mousse and gelato.
For those with dietary restrictions, Amalfi also offers a range of gluten-free and dairy-free options, including vegan cheese.
Amalfi Pizza and Pasta general manger Alex Capponi said their business stood apart from the competition with its traditional Melbourne-style pizzas and fresh egg pasta made by a third-generation Melbourne pasta maker.
“We also make all of our sauces on the spot so there’s nothing pre-cooked or microwaved. Everything is cooked fresh in the pan in front of customers,” Mr Capponi said.
“We are trading seven days a week in Townsville … open till 1am. That gives us the chance to cater for pretty much everyone, from mum and dad, young uni students.
“Then the late night trade really helps us to cater for emergency services, nurses, or shift workers who might finish their shift … and instead of buying the usual fast food, they can get a home-cooked meal.”
The franchise now employs over 500 people across Australia, with many original employees from the first three stores becoming successful franchisees themselves.
The new store employed 10 local staff, primarily teenagers aged 14-17 and young adults in their early 20s, with many in their first jobs.
“The enthusiasm is incredible,” Mr Capponi said.
“They learn so quickly and actually make really good food. The store’s been really busy.
“Hopefully there will be more opportunities coming up in the next few months for more sites in Townsville.”
With assistance from Colliers Townsville sales and leasing executive Reagan Stokley, Amalfi was able to secure a centrally-located space in the suburbs, and carry out a six-week refit, costing an estimated $400,000.
Mr Stokley said Amalfi pizza had been looking to establish a strong initial presence in Townsville, where Thuringowa Village ticked all the boxes.
“It is anchored by Coles, on a main thoroughfare and on the doorstep of Townsville’s largest residential suburb,” Mr Stokley said.
Job seekers were encouraged to visit the store with their resumés.
For more information, visit: amalfipizza.com.au/kirwan.
Originally published as Amalfi Pizza and Pasta opens first NQ store in Thuringowa Village shopping centre
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