If you are thinking of investing in a restaurant business under a recognisable brand in the UK, Prezzo might come to mind. Known for its Italian-style menu offering pasta, pizzas and more in family-friendly settings, it’s a well-established name. A key question for prospective business owners is whether Prezzo offers franchise opportunities. The simple answer is: Prezzo does not offer franchise licences in the UK — all its restaurants are company-owned.
About Prezzo
Prezzo was founded in 2000 and expanded rapidly across the UK, becoming one of the familiar Italian dining chains on the high street. The brand positioned itself as offering casual dining with a broad appeal, serving families, groups and everyday diners in many towns and cities. Over time, the chain has gone through periods of both growth and consolidation, including restructuring, closures of certain sites and changes in ownership. The focus remains on maintaining a format and experience controlled directly by the business.
Operational Model
Prezzo operates all its UK restaurants through a company-owned model rather than a franchise network. This means that the parent company selects locations, owns or leases the units, manages staffing, sets the operational standards and runs the business itself rather than handing over control to independent franchisees. With this model, the company retains full oversight of things like décor, menu changes, staff training, supply chain and branding consistency.
Because the brand does not operate via franchise licences, there is no pathway for an independent business owner to open a “Prezzo” restaurant under a franchise agreement, pay a franchise fee or owe royalties to a franchisor. Instead, any new site opening is likely to be initiated and managed by the company itself as part of its corporate expansion or redevelopment plans.
Why No Franchise Opportunities?
Prezzo’s decision not to offer franchise opportunities aligns with the desire to maintain stronger central control over the brand, its operations and the customer experience. The company-owned model allows consistent rollout of changes (e.g., to menu, décor or service) across all sites simultaneously. Additionally, the scale and investment required for each restaurant (often sizeable units in good locations) may suit a corporate expansion model rather than distributing risk across independent operators. By owning each restaurant, the company can unify standards, streamline management, enforce supply agreements and make strategic decisions without needing to negotiate or align with multiple franchise partners.
What This Means for Entrepreneurs
For someone who is keen to own their own restaurant under the Prezzo name via a franchise path, the absence of such a model means that opportunity is not available. If your goal is to run a restaurant business as a franchisee under an established brand, you will need to look at other chains that do offer franchise licences. Alternatively, you might consider starting your own independent Italian-style restaurant concept. If you are particularly drawn to Prezzo’s style, you could consider employment or career pathways within the company or seek opportunities in other brands that welcome external investors.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Prezzo does not provide franchise opportunities in the UK. All of its restaurants are owned and operated by the company rather than independent franchisees. While the brand remains well known, the route for entrepreneurs to invest under the Prezzo name via franchising isn’t available. If your objective is franchise ownership of an Italian-style dining brand, you will need to explore alternative concepts or consider starting independent.