Zizzi

Zizzi is a chain of Italian restaurants found across the United Kingdom. The brand is owned by Azzurri Group, which also owns the Ask Italian chain. Zizzi opened its first restaurant in Chiswick in 1999, and as of 2020, it operates over 150 restaurants in the UK and Ireland.

History

Zizzi was founded by brothers Chris Askew and Adam Kaye, who also founded the Ask Italian chain. The first Zizzi restaurant was opened in Chiswick in 1999. The chain was sold to Gondola Group in 2006, which in turn was sold to Bridgepoint Capital in 2007. In 2015, Bridgepoint Capital sold Zizzi and the rest of the Azzurri Group to LDC, a subsidiary of Lloyds Banking Group.

Menu

Zizzi's menu features a variety of Italian dishes, including pizza, pasta, risotto, and gelato. The chain also offers a range of vegan and gluten-free options. Zizzi has been recognized for its efforts to cater to various dietary needs, receiving the FreeFrom Eating Out Award in 2016.

Criticism and Controversy

In 2020, Zizzi was criticized for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The company initially refused to pay staff for their scheduled shifts during the UK's lockdown period, leading to a public backlash. Zizzi later reversed this decision following pressure from the public and trade unions.

See Also

• List of Italian restaurants
• Azzurri Group
• Ask Italian