Glasgow's Paesano Pizza and Sugo Pasta sold to industry giant amid expansion

Three of Glasgow’s top restaurants have been bought in what is one of Scotland’s biggest hospitality deals in recent years.

Both Paesano Pizza locations and Sugo Pasta have been acquired by The DRG, the owners of Di Magio’s, Cafe Andaluz and Amarone.

Restauranteur Paul Stevenson founded the Paesano pizza restaurant in Glasgow’s Miller Street in 2015, followed by a sister outlet in Great Western Road two years later.

The Sugo pasta brand then opened on Miller Street in 2019.

The three hugely successful pizza and pasta restaurants in Glasgow went on to become some of the busiest in the country, serving over 22,000 visitors per week.

The restaurants, which employ over 230 staff, last year turned over £15m.

Mr Stevenson, who will stay on in a consultancy role, said the deal will enable them to expand whilst “retaining the unique ethos and family ownership which has made the restaurants such a roaring success”.

“I’ve had numerous approaches over the years from a wide variety of potential purchasers, including private equity groups and other big restaurant chains.

“However, having known the guys from The DRG for more than two decades, it very quickly became clear that they were a perfect fit to take Paesano and Sugo to the next stage of their growth”, he said.

DRG directors Mario Gizzi and Tony Conetta said they were excited to add Sugo and Paesano to their roster of more than 20 restaurants.

“In our discussions with Paul, it quickly became clear that we shared a clear vision of bringing the Paesano and Sugo experience to more locations.

“We’ve shown repeatedly that we have the ability to take exciting restaurant concepts and expand them in a planned and successful manner, and it’s going to be really exciting to do the same for Paesano and Sugo.

“They are brilliant brands – everything from the signage to the interiors, and particularly the food, is absolutely perfect,” Mr Gizzi said.

Mr Conetta added: “We have watched with admiration how Paul has built the restaurants into powerhouse brands in a hugely competitive market and are really pleased that he will remain on board as a consultant as we develop our plans to roll out Paesano and Sugo more widely.”

Mr Stevenson, who will retain a consultancy role with The DRG, said: “I know the business is in very safe hands and that Tony and Mario will really look after it.

“We have a great staff and a hugely committed management team in the company and they’ll undoubtedly get many more opportunities to grow within the larger DRG business.

“It’s hugely exciting and I can’t wait to see how the company develops over the next few years.”