Pizzeria owner looking to sell popular restaurant to pursue drive-thru pizza joint dream in Milton Keynes

Paulo Benfeito is looking to sell his popular Amore Pizzeria restaurant in nearby Leighton Buzzard so he can concentrate on establishing a drive-thru pizza place in the Milton Keynes area.

The chosen buyers of his business will own it as a franchise, and Paulo is on a mission to find "the right" people to join the Amore Pizzeria family.

He told the MK Citizen: "I'm looking for a couple, like a husband and wife team, who could take over the place and enhance it. Someone with experience, who could make it better.

"I'm looking to find someone who is passionate or more passionate than me; someone who is there for the love not the money."

Paulo decided to put the restaurant on the market after an offer was made on the business.

However, the person "didn't meet the requirements", so Paulo has decided to continue his search, as he hopes to pursue his "long-held dream" of opening an 'Amore Pizzeria Drive-Thru' in ever-expanding MK.

Milton Keynes has long been a test-bed for unique and original business ideas and restaurants.

Paulo told The Citizen his experience in the fast food industry led to the idea of a pizza drive-thru.

"I used to work for McDonald's and I know how drive-thrus work. That's why my dream is to have the drive-thru system; customers can order on the app, and as they arrive, we can give them freshly made, piping hot pizzas.

"You don't have to pay for the drivers, the mileage.

"I've had this on my mind for years and years. The restaurant, ironically, is holding me back."

He added: "It's OK if we don't sell it, it won't be a problem, we will just carry on."

Paulo explained that he wants to open in Milton Keynes as it would be "unfair" on his Leighton Buzzard restaurant to start up the drive-thru there.

Amore first opened in 2019, and since then, it has become known for its bottomless pizza offer, gelatos, and pizza-making parties.

Emphasising his desire to find a couple so he can pursue his Milton Keynes drive-thru dream, Paulo added: "When me and my wife are working together in the restaurant, it's completely different to having staff running the business. We are the number one Italian restaurant in the are (on TripAdvisor) because we are spending time there.

"We are getting customers in and making sure they have the best experience, and customers are saying what a unique concept it is. We love it, but at the end of the day, my passion is fast food. That's what gets me going."

The businesses' 2023 sales were £348,000 and its trading hours are 11.30am to 2pm and 5pm to 9pm. There are two full time staff and four owner drivers. A working couple can potentially take home 50 per cent of sales.

He concluded: "This is a rare opportunity to own a thriving restaurant with a rich history and untapped potential. Amore Pizzeria is not just a business; it's a legacy waiting to be continued."

To express your interest or schedule a visit, email: [email protected].