Big Manny’s Pizza has opened its new location at Aberdeen University, attracting a crowd of hungry students eager to taste the popular slices. The director, Calum Wright, reflected on the brand’s journey over the past five years, highlighting the hard work and “facepalm moments” that have led to their current success.
Calum shared a story from their first location on Holburn Street, where they faced a chaotic opening night with overwhelming orders and no system in place to keep pizzas warm for late customers. Despite the challenges, they have evolved into a smoother operation with valuable lessons learned along the way.
Starting as a small venture during lockdown, Big Manny’s quickly gained momentum, leading to franchising opportunities with locations like Pittodrie Street, Inverurie, Stonehaven, and Banchory. The trio behind the brand, including Calum, Phil, and Ashley Adams, have been strategic in their expansion, seizing opportunities while maintaining a controlled pace.
While the growth has been rapid, Calum emphasized the importance of taking one step at a time and being cautious not to expand too quickly. The success of Big Manny’s has attracted interest from potential franchisees, indicating a promising future for the brand.
Looking ahead, Calum expressed confidence in Big Manny’s potential to compete with established franchises like Domino’s, noting their increasing presence in Aberdeen and ambitious plans for further expansion. As they continue to grow, the sky’s the limit for Big Manny’s, with a strong foundation and dedicated team driving their success.