San Carlo buys Flying Pizza

Restaurant group San Carlo, which recently opened a new venue on South Parade in Leeds, has bought Flying Pizza restaurant out of administration for an undisclosed sum.

The Flying Pizza, based in Roundhay, will stay open for business as the new owners look to invest £1m in the venue. It has been trading for 35 years.

The San Carlo Group is owned and operated by father and son team Carlo and Marcello Distefano who lived in Roundhay for several years.

San Carlo Group director, Marcello Distefano, said: “We’re thrilled to acquire Flying Pizza, a restaurant with such a great history. As a family we often ate there in its heyday and our intention is to lavishly restore it to its former glory.

“The venue remains open for business but plans include a full refurbishment and new menus which embrace our signature authentic Italian food.”

Flying Pizza joins San Carlo’s group of eight UK restaurants and becomes the group’s second Leeds venue. San Carlo’s 140 seated restaurant opened on South Parade last Autumn – we reviewed it here.

San Carlo also owns two restaurants in Manchester, as well as its original Birmingham eatery.