This is my message to Pizza Express, who are experiencing debts at the moment. Please don’t close. You are one of the few places I know I can just turn up at and feel safe about ordering a meal that is completely freefrom my allergens.
To find out more about what’s happening with Pizza Express and the debt they’re in, read Earning its crust, Pizza Express hires advisers over £1bn debt.
An Ode to Pizza Express
Please don’t go
Pizza Express
What will I do?
Don’t say No
Pizza Express
Cos I need you.
It’s the place
Where we go
Dinner or lunch
For safe food
And your staff
Are a friendly bunch
We just know
I can eat
Allergen Free
And there is
Always a Pizza Express
Welcoming me
Apologies for the quick poem, it was rushed, the main premise of my rambling was to get across that the staff and lovely and you can usually find a Pizza Express in most towns. That’s what inspired the poem. That’s why I love Pizza Express. The food’s OK, it’s not amazing but it’s tasty and I’ve never ever had a problem there or felt unsafe.
I go there with friends and family and it’s become a bit of birthday tradition to go with my Mum for lunch. I’m ashamed to say that we nearly always used vouchers but I think that’s part of the problem. There is always a Pizza Express offer or deal going and no one ever pays full price.
It’s not a great business model. But I know the financial mess you’re in is complicated. I just hope you can sort it out. Because I know that I, the allergy community and particularly those allergy mums will miss you if you go. Kids are always welcome with activity books to colour in and stickers to keep them occupied.
They are one of the first pizza establishments to offer gluten free pizzas and they really understood, introducing gluten free flour for dusting the surface, even when making normal dough pizzas. They also now offer vegan pizzas and were one of the earlier places to do this. But they haven’t really changed much in a long time.
My one criticism would be that I’ve never once had a positive response from your social media guys. If I complain someone will be on it, apologising and offering vouchers. But if I say thanks, share my lovely meal, thank you guys for keeping me safe over and over again, which I have done on twitter but mostly Instagram, I’ve not once ever had a like, a thank you or a comment. Now I don’t do it to receive thanks, I do it because I think other people with allergies might enjoy a meal there, and because I want you guys to still be there when I next go out for lunch.
So if you are struggling it might be because other companies do the social thing so much better. If you want raving fans who will come back time and time again, say thank you. Because recently more and more restaurants have been offering allergen menus and my friends and I have been venturing to other places such as Bella Italia, Nando’s and others.
I don’t want you guys to close but there are some really simple things that you could look at. I should want to go there without a voucher. I should feel that you value my custom. I feel sad about you guys struggling, especially since you were one of the first to start to cater for people with allergies, where I could order from the normal menu and feel included. But you need to move with the times. I honestly think it’s hardly changed in the whole time I’ve being going. Although I have enjoyed the puddings recently, instead of just sorbet…
We are all waiting and hoping someone can help you guys out.
Pizza’s crossed. Dough balls crossed. Someone please help Pizza Express.
One thing I can guarantee is that no one from Pizza Express will read this. No one will comment. No one from Pizza Express will acknowledge it when I share it on social media. Because they never do. And that friends, may hold the root of the problem.
Will you guys reading this be sad to lose Pizza Express? Or do you have another favourite allergen safe eatery? Let’s have a allergy free debate!
Yes. I will miss them. I have been well disposed towards them since the 80s when in London they became one if my 1st restaurant experiences. Then my Italian girlfriend who was learning English was able to get a job in the local Pizza Express which was great.. I didn’t know that they are good with allergies.
Now that’s a lot of debt. I too hope that they can sort it all out.
Andrew
I didn’t know they’d been around for so long! Fingers crossed they can pull something out the bag and perhaps also learn from all this feedback… not all good!
I love this post. I truly believe that their customer service is shoddy.
I have been going to pizza express since i was about 5. Before dough balls nutella, all the pine nuts, veganism, technology in taking my order, allergen menus.
Since becoming an adult i’ve noticed their lack of compassion with my allergies. It’s like the’ve done the training, theres more people with allergies that are coming in to their restaurants and they’ve gotten cocky. Today I went in and they just gave me flippant “theres no nuts in your order” I said yes I know that, its why i ordered and i asked the waiter to show the chef my allergy card – rolled his eyes and say “ill show it to him quickly” (we were right by the kitchen) I had to make a stand, my friend got very upset as did i and i said its so sever and i have anaphylaxis please take this seriously. I was shaking. this is only one instance there are so many more and i will be doing a post on this on my blog.
I love pizza express but for now i will just use the take home pizzas. If somethings not serving you, you need to let it go. Its lost what it means to me now and I have other places I eat now. Im going to set it free.
I didn’t use a voucher this time.
Hey Lindiwe, thanks so much for the comment. Sounds like you’ve had mixed experiences with them. I have had some staff who are little blase, but I’ve never had an allergic reaction there. It’s just that little bit of reassurance that they take it seriously that we need isn’t it? I have been there, intimidated and feeling so anxious when someone won’t take you seriously. It’s just politeness, empathy and kindness that was missing in your experience above. And often much nicer to eat at home! I agree. No anxiety!