It was our founder’s early travels that fired his imagination and inspired him to introduce pizza to the UK. Fresh out of university and with his National Service behind him, Peter travelled and worked his way across Europe, through France, Germany and Switzerland, settling eventually in Rome.

Not one to shy away from rolling up his sleeves, Peter worked as a reporter for the Associated Press and even sold postcards from a barrow in St. Peter’s Square. It was this entrepreneurial spirit, and his passion for all things Italian that still lie at the heart of what was to become PizzaExpress.

On his return to the UK, Peter was shocked to discover that, unlike in Italy, great tasting pizza was nowhere to be found - and that’s how the idea was born. Peter was determined to bring the spirit and taste of an Italian pizzeria to England.

He chose vibrant Soho for what was, at the time, a radical venture. And it paid off. As the restaurant opened its doors, everyone from fashionable Londoners to the man in the street flocked to get a slice.

Ever since 1965 when Peter opened our first restaurant in Soho, the same PizzaExpress values have remained in our DNA.

Fantastic pizza with top quality ingredients, served in beautiful surroundings to the beat of evocative music. At PizzaExpress White Rose this is one recipe we haven’t changed, and today we take the same pride in offering great hospitality and unforgettable experiences.

Each PizzaExpress restaurant is individually designed – often using well known places, people or historical events from the area as the basis. The new restaurant’s design uses materials and patterns influenced by Leeds’ textile and cloth manufacturing industry. Walls have been tiled in a striking weave pattern, inspired by the “warp and weft” created in cloth manufacture. And artwork featuring Yorkshire dialect, with the wording “Sit Thissen Dahn An’ Tell Me Abaht It,” has been stitched using a burgundy cord.

Menu choices include great options for kids, a gluten free menu accredited by the coeliac society and choices of pizzas, pastas and salads to suit all tastes.

For younger pizza-lovers, PizzaExpress’ Piccolo menu is full of tasty choices including ‘Create Your Own’ pizza, and starts at just £3.95. 

For more details visit www.pizzaexpress.com