Kotipizza
Encyclopedia
Kotipizza Oyj is the largest pizza
restaurant chain in the Nordic countries
. Its head office is in the Vaskiluodon Satamaterminaali in Vaasa
, Finland
.
Kotipizza was founded in 1987 by Rabbe Grönblom
. In summer 2009, the Kotipizza chain included over 250 restaurants in over 130 municipalities. Some Kotipizza restaurants are located in conjunction with car service stations. The most northern Kotipizza restaurant in Finland is located in Karigasniemi
in the municipality of Utsjoki
. The overall revenue of the Kotipizza restaurant chain in 2008 was 64.9 million euro
. Over 95% of the Kotipizza restaurants in Finland
are operated by franchising
. In addition to Finland, Kotipizza restaurants are found in Saint Petersburg
, Estonia
and in China
in Suzhou
, near Shanghai
. Kotipizza has been chosen as the best franchising chain of the year in 1992 and 2009. The motto of Kotipizza is "Pizza, Love & Understanding". Some of the Kotipizza restaurants also deliver pizza to customers' homes.
pizza.
With Pizza Berlusconi, Kotipizza won the America's Plate International pizza contest in New York
in March 2008, beating the Italians
, who got second place.
Kotipizza named its smoked reindeer pizza "Pizza Berlusconi" in its advertising campaign and menu
in early summer 2008 after Prime Minister of Italy
Silvio Berlusconi
. Kotipizza thus made fun of Berlusconi's statements insulting the Finnish cuisine in summer 2005. Berlusconi has stated that he has had to "endure" Finnish food. He also stated that there is no comparison between Finnish and Italian cuisine
, and made derogatory remarks about smoked reindeer
, supposedly a Finnish delicacy.
Pizza
Pizza is an oven-baked, flat, disc-shaped bread typically topped with a tomato sauce, cheese and various toppings.Originating in Italy, from the Neapolitan cuisine, the dish has become popular in many parts of the world. An establishment that makes and sells pizzas is called a "pizzeria"...
restaurant chain in the Nordic countries
Nordic countries
The Nordic countries make up a region in Northern Europe and the North Atlantic which consists of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden and their associated territories, the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland...
. Its head office is in the Vaskiluodon Satamaterminaali in Vaasa
Vaasa
Vaasa is a city on the west coast of Finland. It received its charter in 1606, during the reign of Charles IX of Sweden and is named after the Royal House of Vasa...
, Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
.
Kotipizza was founded in 1987 by Rabbe Grönblom
Rabbe Grönblom
Rabbe Grönblom is a businessman from Vaasa, Finland. His first company—a pizzeria—was called Pizzeria No 1 and it was founded in 1976 in the center of Vaasa. Nowadays he is known as the "Pizza-emperor" , because he is the founder of a well known pizza franchise chain called Kotipizza...
. In summer 2009, the Kotipizza chain included over 250 restaurants in over 130 municipalities. Some Kotipizza restaurants are located in conjunction with car service stations. The most northern Kotipizza restaurant in Finland is located in Karigasniemi
Karigasniemi
Karigasniemi is one of the villages of Finland's most northern municipality of Utsjoki . It lies at the foot of Mount Ailigás.The village is situated on the border between Norway and Finland south-east of Karasjok...
in the municipality of Utsjoki
Utsjoki
Utsjoki is a municipality in Finland. It is located in Lapland and borders Norway as well as the municipality of Inari. The municipality was founded in 1876. It has a population of and covers an area of ofwhich is water. The population density is....
. The overall revenue of the Kotipizza restaurant chain in 2008 was 64.9 million euro
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
. Over 95% of the Kotipizza restaurants in Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
are operated by franchising
Franchising
Franchising is the practice of using another firm's successful business model. The word 'franchise' is of anglo-French derivation - from franc- meaning free, and is used both as a noun and as a verb....
. In addition to Finland, Kotipizza restaurants are found in Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg is a city and a federal subject of Russia located on the Neva River at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea...
, Estonia
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
and in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
in Suzhou
Suzhou
Suzhou , previously transliterated as Su-chou, Suchow, and Soochow, is a major city located in the southeast of Jiangsu Province in Eastern China, located adjacent to Shanghai Municipality. The city is situated on the lower reaches of the Yangtze River and on the shores of Taihu Lake and is a part...
, near Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
. Kotipizza has been chosen as the best franchising chain of the year in 1992 and 2009. The motto of Kotipizza is "Pizza, Love & Understanding". Some of the Kotipizza restaurants also deliver pizza to customers' homes.
Pizza Berlusconi
Pizza Berlusconi is Kotipizza's name for smoked reindeerReindeer
The reindeer , also known as the caribou in North America, is a deer from the Arctic and Subarctic, including both resident and migratory populations. While overall widespread and numerous, some of its subspecies are rare and one has already gone extinct.Reindeer vary considerably in color and size...
pizza.
With Pizza Berlusconi, Kotipizza won the America's Plate International pizza contest in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
in March 2008, beating the Italians
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, who got second place.
Kotipizza named its smoked reindeer pizza "Pizza Berlusconi" in its advertising campaign and menu
Menu
In a restaurant, a menu is a presentation of food and beverage offerings. A menu may be a la carte – which guests use to choose from a list of options – or table d'hôte, in which case a pre-established sequence of courses is served....
in early summer 2008 after Prime Minister of Italy
Prime minister of Italy
The Prime Minister of Italy is the head of government of the Italian Republic...
Silvio Berlusconi
Silvio Berlusconi
Silvio Berlusconi , also known as Il Cavaliere – from knighthood to the Order of Merit for Labour which he received in 1977 – is an Italian politician and businessman who served three terms as Prime Minister of Italy, from 1994 to 1995, 2001 to 2006, and 2008 to 2011. Berlusconi is also the...
. Kotipizza thus made fun of Berlusconi's statements insulting the Finnish cuisine in summer 2005. Berlusconi has stated that he has had to "endure" Finnish food. He also stated that there is no comparison between Finnish and Italian cuisine
Italian cuisine
Italian cuisine has developed through centuries of social and political changes, with roots as far back as the 4th century BCE. Italian cuisine in itself takes heavy influences, including Etruscan, ancient Greek, ancient Roman, Byzantine, Jewish and Arab cuisines...
, and made derogatory remarks about smoked reindeer
Reindeer
The reindeer , also known as the caribou in North America, is a deer from the Arctic and Subarctic, including both resident and migratory populations. While overall widespread and numerous, some of its subspecies are rare and one has already gone extinct.Reindeer vary considerably in color and size...
, supposedly a Finnish delicacy.
External links
- Official site
- Official home delivery site
- D'Agosta, Alex. Translation to English by Giles Watson. Reindeer Pizza Named after Berlusconi." Corriere della SeraCorriere della SeraThe Corriere della Sera is an Italian daily newspaper, published in Milan.It is among the oldest and most reputable Italian newspapers. Its main rivals are Rome's La Repubblica and Turin's La Stampa.- History :...
. 13 June 2008. - Sommers, Sanna. "Rahan, Rabben ja hyvän pizzan nimeen." YlioppilaslehtiYlioppilaslehtiYlioppilaslehti is a Finnish student newspaper founded in 1913. The paper is published by a private company Ylioppilaslehden kustannus Oy that is owned by the Student Union of the University of Helsinki. The paper is the largest student paper in Finland with a circulation of 35,000 copies...
. - D'Agosta, Alex. "Pizza alla renna, Berlusconi 'testimonial'." Corriere della SeraCorriere della SeraThe Corriere della Sera is an Italian daily newspaper, published in Milan.It is among the oldest and most reputable Italian newspapers. Its main rivals are Rome's La Repubblica and Turin's La Stampa.- History :...
. 11 June 2008. Last modified 12 June 2008.