From Small Beginnings to Global Success: How Sanam Kapoor’s La Pino’z Took on the Pizza Giants
Sanam Kapoor, once an ordinary employee at HCL, made a bold decision to leave his stable job and pursue his dream of owning a business. His passion for pizza led him to open La Pino’z, a pizzeria in Chandigarh, competing against industry heavyweights like Domino’s.
By 2022, Kapoor’s venture had grown from a modest start to over 500 outlets, with plans for global expansion.
A Leap of Faith
Kapoor, seeking to escape his monotonous job, decided to invest in a pizzeria despite the high risk and limited funds. The food industry, dominated by big players like Domino’s, Pizza Hut, and Papa John’s, was a tough arena to enter. The 2010s saw these giants dominating with extensive franchises and substantial market shares.
Survival and Innovation
La Pino’z began as a survival game, focusing on innovative strategies to attract customers. Instead of traditional whole pizzas, Kapoor introduced single-slice options, allowing customers to sample various flavors affordably. This approach proved to be highly successful.
Understanding India’s diverse palate, Kapoor tailored pizzas to local tastes, incorporating regional spices and ingredients. He emphasized freshness by preparing dough every three hours, setting La Pino’z apart from competitors who used pre-made dough. Additionally, by keeping prices low, Kapoor attracted budget-conscious customers.
Acknowledging India’s predominantly vegetarian population, La Pino’z allowed franchisees to choose between fully vegetarian menus or mixed options, accommodating varied preferences.
A Phenomenal Growth
These strategies paid off handsomely. La Pino’z expanded from its first store in Chandigarh to over 100 outlets by 2017, and surpassed 600 by 2022, achieving ₹1000 crore in revenue. The same year, they launched their first international outlet in London.
La Pino’z is now set to open stores in Australia, Canada, Dubai, and Tanzania, marking its foray into the global market.