New Zealand’s Hell Pizza has taken a turn for the better following the review of its direction and reinvigorating of the brand and franchise system following challenges with bad publicity in 2011.
The changes were led by directors Stu McMullin and Callum Davies, who together bought back the master franchise in 2009 after selling it in 2006. The company now has 64 stores throughout New Zealand.
“We knew we had to improve the professionalism of the company, but at the same time we had to get back some of our original roots; the culture at Hell is critical to its success,” McMullin said.
He said 50 per cent of head office staff were hired in or after 2012, and all have worked in Hell stores, giving the company 100 plus years of experience and operational understanding.
Hell Pizza GM, Ben Cumming, said the company has also made vast improvements to its day to day communication with franchisees.
“This has both in resulted better sales, through improved engagement with campaigns, and improved franchisee satisfaction, because they are executing the campaign plan well, which is ultimately profitable for them,” Cumming said.
McMullin said Cumming is doing an exceptional job of realigning and refocusing the Hell Pizza operation, with the directors and the franchisees the happiest they’ve been with the business for a long time.
Cumming said while the company is pleased with its progress to date, there is still plenty to do to make Hell a better place for franchisees and customers.
“Hell is New Zealand’s premium pizza brand,” he said. “Our goal over the next 18 months is to consolidate that with great product, engaging marketing and superior service – all with a good helping of sinister.