Business Profile: Il Carro Della Pizza

Name: Cathal Gormley
Business Name: Il Carro Della Pizza
M: 07979 221855

Business Profile: Il Carro Della Pizza

Can you describe your business?

IL Carro Della Pizza is ‘state of the art’ mobile wood fired pizza providing fresh, sour dough wood fired gourmet pizzas to a range of customers who want excellence quality and service provided at their venue. We specialise in freshly made, hand rolled, sour dough topped with the freshest, locally sourced ingredients where possible. We initially started trading in May 2017, offering a be-spoke private pizza party experience to families, but in very short space of time, we were catering for weddings, corporate groups, schools and small events. We have cooked pizzas in the Sperrin Mountains in the snow, 80th birthday parties, food fayres and ‘come and dine with me’ nights.

Why did you start your own business? 

I have been in the pizza restaurant business for 20 years and in May 2017, after significant research, I felt the time was right to offer a completely new product and service. I provide customers with a ‘joined up pizza experience’, where the assembly and cooking process is seamless and the customer can see their individual pizza being prepared and cooked at 400°C in less than two minutes, which helps to create an unique food experience.

What are the best things about running your own business? 

Excellent mental simulation; work flexibility; great craic; and autonomy.

What are the main challenges facing the business?

Continual investment in the business to provide the best possible food experience for the customer meeting the growing demand from the increasing and diverse range of customers. Monitoring costs and maintaining an acceptable profit (food costs are rising and sourcing local is becoming more difficulty for small businesses).

What advice would you give to someone starting a business? 

Do the homework, keep a diary and record transactions. Fulfil promises to customers no matter what as ‘the show must be go on’. Be prepared for a steep learning curve and also get engaged with social media.

Can you describe your experience of running a business in three words or less?

Challenging, rewarding and buzzing.