A couple who set up a pizza-making business to make some extra money during the pandemic are looking to turn their lockdown side hustle into a franchise.
Rachael Willoughby and Elliott Richmond began making traditional Neapolitan pizzas from their home in Bishop's Cleeve near Cheltenham and delivering them locally three years ago.
The pair have run a web development company together for more than 20 years, which lost a “big chunk” of its income following the start of the first Covid lockdown in March 2020.
They initially began with a limited menu and produced no more than 36 pizzas made per evening with dough made by Mr Richmond, who was brought up in Malta. Within three weeks they had set up a website, booking system and logistics for their new venture.
Delivery was kept to a four-mile radius with the couple’s teenage boys tasked with delivering any pizzas by bike that fell within the one mile radius and Ms Willoughby delivering the rest by car.
The couple estimate the operation now makes a £2,000 profit each month.
Ms Willoughby said: “We increased both the quantity and choices on our menu and we’ve also built relationships with a couple of local businesses. Our pizzas are high end, traditional Neapolitan style - no pineapples ever.
“We never dreamt three years ago that we would still be making pizzas but the demand keeps increasing, despite new pizza competition in the area.”
This experience has led the couple to set up CasaGees as a franchise, aimed at couples in Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds who love cooking and who are looking for extra income, a business which works around caring responsibilities, or as a family enterprise.
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