‘Naturally we are devastated’: Cult pizza joints disappear from two cities

A cult-favourite pizza chain has abruptly closed stores in two Aussie cities, citing an all too familiar reason.

A cult-favourite pizza chain in Tasmania has abruptly closed its stores in the regional cities of Devonport and Burnie, citing an all too familiar reason.

After opening its doors in the Launceston suburb of Mowbray in 2015, WiseGuise Pizza expanded rapidly in Tasmania’s north and northwest.

By 2019, it had three more stores in Launceston and a store each in northwest Tasmanian regional centres, Burnie and Devonport.

However, this week, the independent chain confirmed it can no longer keep up.

“It is with heavy hearts that we announce the immediate closure of our pizza stores in Burnie and Devonport,” management told customers on social media.

A popular pizza chain in Tasmania, WiseGuise Pizza, has closed its stores in the regional cities of Burnie and Devonport due to tough economic conditions and rising costs of running a family business. Picture: Instagram

“Unfortunately due to incredibly tough economic conditions along with the rising costs of running a family business we have had to make this difficult decision.

“Despite all our efforts, recent times have shown a constant decline and while the three original stores continue to perform well, the stores on the coast struggle to remain viable.

“Naturally we are devastated by this outcome, especially for our amazing WiseGuise team on the coast, and we want to take this opportunity to express a heartfelt thank you to them.”

Locals in the two regional cities shared their devastation.

“You ran a very generous small business in Burnie that donated so much to the community and charitable organisations. You are a good one mate, times are tough,” one wrote.

“But business owners like you, who invest in their people and community like you do, will always have local support wherever you go.”

WiseGuise Pizza. Picture: Instagram

Another lamented: “Sad to hear of yet another locally owned and run business having to close.”

WiseGuise made national headlines in 2017 after hilariously altering the meaning of an anti-same-sex marriage billboard next to their business.

WiseGuise Pizza in Mowbray gave added meaning to an “It’s OK to say no” sign plastered on the side of its store by advertisers by adding the words “ … to pineapple on pizza”.

The closures make it apparent that no states have been spared from a cost crisis forcing major business readjustments or the closure of cafes and restaurants across the country.

In recent weeks, the hatted Redbird restaurant in Redfern and its sister restaurant, Tequila Daisy, announced closures in mid-May.

Shortly after, a well-known bakery chain in Brisbane, Flour & Chocolate Patisserie, informed its customers that it would stop selling sandwiches in three stores to cut “skyrocketing” costs.

In 2017, WiseGuise Pizza gained international attention for humorously altering the meaning of an anti-same-sex marriage billboard near their business. Picture: Instagram

And a fortnight ago, two unique dog-friendly cafes in Perth closed immediately, also blaming “rising operational costs” for the shock closure.

Suresh Manickam, the chief executive officer of the industry organisation Restaurant and Catering Australia, recently told Bloomberg that the increasing daily costs of running an eatery, including those associated with energy and interest rates, are pushing popular businesses to the brink.

Additionally, consumers have become more cautious about spending money.

“There are multiple challenges at the moment,” Manickam said.

“Almost every single input that goes into doing business is rising.

Despite the closure of two WiseGuise stores, the three original stores continue to operate. Picture: Instagram

“There’s nothing that we know of that is going down in terms of input.”

According to ASIC, the Australian accommodation and food services sector has seen the second-highest insolvency rates in recent years after the construction industry.

In the 11 months through May, there were 1,751 insolvencies, compared to 1,127 in the same period a year ago and 713 the period before that.

The liquidations are mainly affecting small to medium operators with lower cash reserves.

Originally published as ‘Naturally we are devastated’: Cult pizza joints disappear from two cities