Who founded the British pizza chain PizzaExpress in 1965?

Peter Boizot founded the British pizza chain PizzaExpress in 1965.

Boizot opened the first PizzaExpress restaurant on Wardour Street in Soho, London, after spending years working in Europe and finding that London lacked authentic pizza. He brought a pizza oven from Naples and hired a chef from Sicily, helping introduce a more Italian-style pizzeria experience to Britain.

The restaurant’s distinctive visual identity was shaped by Italian designer and cartoonist Enzo Apicella, whose artwork and interiors became closely associated with the chain. PizzaExpress also became known for combining dining with live jazz: its Dean Street venue began hosting performances in 1969.

A common mix-up is confusing Boizot with the founders of American pizza chains. Dan Carney co-founded Pizza Hut, while Tom Monaghan founded Domino’s. Boizot remained associated with PizzaExpress after it expanded and later floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1993.