BWG Foodservice will supply all food ingredients to Four Star Pizza after signing a multi-million euro deal with the Irish-owned pizza group.
BWG Foodservice, which is a subsidiary of Spar and Mace operator BWG Foods, will supply Four Star with fresh food, ambient grocery, chilled and frozen products, packaging and other catering supplies.
The company will also provide category management resources, operations support and fresh-food advisory services to Four Star as part of the agreement.
The announcement comes at a time when Four Star is planning to increase its number of stores on the island of Ireland from 56 to more than 100 over the next three years.
"This contract with Four Star Pizza represents a very significant and unique addition to our business and we are delighted to have been selected as the company’s exclusive supplier," said Ricky O'Brien, director of BWG Foodservice.
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"Our ability to deliver cost competitiveness through our consolidated supply network, our proven partnership model, our commitment to understanding our customer’s needs and our ability to deliver workable solutions were all key factors in securing this deal.
"Being at the forefront of food service distribution in Ireland, we believe we are the perfect partner to support Four Star Pizza’s future growth ambitions.”
Colin Hughes, CEO of Four Star Pizza, added: “We have big ambitions and a strategy in place to continue growing our successful network of outlets across the island of Ireland, with a target of 45 new stores by 2025.
"We needed a partner that could match our ambitions and support us on every step of our journey. Securing local supply chain continuity amid the current challenges faced by the sector was a key aspect of the contract award and we are confident BWG Foodservice will help us deliver this.
“We have worked hard over many years to differentiate ourselves in the marketplace by creating a truly authentic pizza experience underpinned by fresh, high-quality ingredients, from local producers where possible, and through this partnership with BWG, we now have a strong platform to build on our success to date.”
Four Star now employs 1,000 people across its 56 stores, including 14 in Northern Ireland, and saw a sales increase of 21.5% last year, driven by online orders and its Rewards loyalty programme, which has more than 300,000 members.
Gonville Ltd, the group controlled by Michael Holland that owns the Four Star Pizza master franchise for Ireland and the UK, made a profit of €542,000 in 2021, an improvement of 220% or approximately €373,000 year-on-year.
The company recorded €2.6m in sales, up from just over €2m in 2020, while cost of sales rose to €227,000 and administrative expenses declined to around €1.8m. Net assets totalled €693,000 at the end of the year, and director remuneration rose to €172,000.
BWG Foods Unlimited Company saw turnover increase to €1.4bn in 2021 and generated a stable operating profit of €32.4m. The group employs some 1,265 people between marketing, selling, distribution and administration, and director remuneration rose to €4.5m last year.
Photo: (l-r) Ciara Kellett, director of operations at Four Star Pizza; Ricky O’Brien, foodservice director at BWG Foods; and Colin Hughes.
