Pizza Express about to go into adminstration?

[QuimJongUn]

I've seen people talking about this on social media but can't find anything about it online. Anyone heard anything/got any links?

It's daft but I've got a real fondness for the place especially with money off from Clubcard vouchers

I'm surprised. It's so much better than Ask which is awful, Prezzo or Zizzi. A good reliable place to go.

I won’t go there as they have too many birthday parties. It’s not a relaxing place

I don't think the discounts are as easy to come by as they used to be. I always used to use a 2for1 thing but haven't been able to for ages unless on a Meerkat code (certain nights only) or it was a visit within so many weeks of the last one (don't go that often). You used to always be able to download a code and it was busier back then.

Maybe the lack of discounting is what went wrong?

We were at PE last week. Their superfood salad was really very nice indeed.

Like others, I have a soft spot for PE. I think their pizzas are reliablely pretty good, and certainly nicer than those at out local "posh" independent pizzeria. We don't go very much because it's pretty expensive for a family of 5 now we're out of the kids menu stage. Also, we recently got one of these little beauties, which makes spectacular pizzas and trips to pizzerias superfluous.

Pizza on the Park was fabulous. With the jazz pianist downstairs. In the 80s.

@SleepyKat if you go to their website there's a bit for offers at your local branch - you screenshot a code. It's usually two for one on mains or two courses for a tenner or similar. Most branches have them.

It's a very reliable "last resort". I probably go once a month or so, but can't remember the last time I paid full price. Would be sad to see it go.

Wow, there are 3 in my city and they're pretty much always full. As a family, we will be gutted if they go. The kids are fussy so pizzas are whatvwe donwhen we go out to eat. Add that to DS2's coeliac needs and it's one of the best places we've found 🍕

Nooo - I just exchanged my Tesco clubcard vouchers for PE vouchers - a great deal!

Who has said it's about to go into administration? Seems unlikely. As far as I know it is talking to its lenders about restructuring its debt, which is hugely expensive to service. That is not at all the same thing as entering an insolvency process.

Gutted

OK I have never been but my DS has a school trip there soon.....
Agree with Frankie and Bennys all just microwave food totally grim.

@LarkDescending that's what people were saying in Twitter earlier - I couldn't find anything else about it at the time, hence the thread. Since then though I've read a few articles saying what you're saying. Although some of the more sensationalist sections of the media do seem to be framing it as 'Is PE about to go under?'.

Really hope it's not and it can all be sorted, not least for all the staff who must be so worried.

Pizza Express doesn't need to up its game. Its game is just right as it is. We've been going regularly since our DDs were small. They're in their twenties now and it's still a family favourite.

I think the branches are franchises aren’t they? Some are really good but the one nearest to us had a dip (too few staff, orders coming out wrong, waiting ages for food/drinks/bill). The manger always looked stressed out. He seems to have got his act together though and it’s got better.

Shame the get rid of the potato and rosemary bake.

That’s a shame, it’s one of the few places that reliably caters for food allergies such as dairy or wheat free.

@LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD no they're not franchises, not the high street ones anyway. I know someone who used to be an area manager with them

BBC website say they have one billion in debts

Not surprised, my local pub serves far better wood fired pizza

I could drink their salad dressing!

Have to be honest though, the other week me and DD had pizza at a Wetherspoon. We paid £6ish each and got a huge pizza and a glass of wine each and while they weren't 100% as nice as PE, they weren't bloody bad either. I'd still prefer PE every time but neither would I be against the idea of going back to the pub for pizza. I wonder if this might be a factor? Wetherspoons aren't as lovely as PE generally but some are perfectly nice. Ideal for a no fuss quick midweek dinner when you can't be arsed cooking.

Pizza Express Live events are the only time I set foot in a branch, but they are a great value night out .
Although I was cross when they discontinued the antipasto sharing platter.

They have huge levels of debt. No business can take that level of debt into a new year. What are they spending their money on? Huge discount prices. When a chain offers such an array of money off vouchers you know they are doomed.

Strangely enough, there are never any children in our local one! It's always got a random couple aged 30 odd and a few elderly.

I love it, I feel quite classay drinking my Sprite out of there nice tumblers

I take DS frequently and I always feel bad if he makes a tiny mess since there never seems to be any other children about!

I would be sad if Pizza Express closed.

I have been going there since I was very young and it's been our 'cheap night out' with the kids and their mates for 20 years.