Bellillo Ltd

This is one of a series of accounting and consultancy case studies.

Today we're going to explain how we offered accounting and consultancy services to a pizzeria called Bellillo.

A new restaurant business set up in London, we put them on Xero and taught them how to manage their own bookkeeping. We set up the VAT and payroll and worked with their lenders to open restaurants, get leases etc. We advised the owners on efficient remuneration and we even went to their restaurant to give feedback on their products! Very nice!

Who are they and what do they do (and how do you help them)?

Bellillo, www.bellillo.co.uk/, is the first English based Napoletana pizzeria that serves pizza with organic, native sourced products. With their excellent products and artisan recipes, they serve a traditional, mouth-watering array of products to its customers. They provide a family-run, relaxed atmosphere, and a diverse menu.

Operating since 2014, we have kept pace with their growth, advising them on all areas from sales tax compliance, to research and development enhanced expenditure claims, bookkeeping systems consultancy and automation.

If you'd like more information about our accounting and consultancy services, you can find it here.

We also used our network of legal consultants to arrange for lease negotiations, services contracts, website terms and conditions and other areas which required attention.

What are the key challenges in their market?

There are several complicated areas with a restaurant business. These complexities include running a business premises with fixed costs, legal issues, licencing and stock management.

Furthermore, it is vital to keep up with the demand for organic and healthier options for their customers. The most difficult challenge for Salvatore (front of house director) and Francesco (the head chef) and their team is to import the certified organic product from Napoli to the UK. This triggers importing and logistic issues as well as higher costs.

Customer care is dependent on quality, all-natural, highly customizable, healthier options. Therefore, it is important for Bellillo to establish their reputation for consistency, excellent taste and an involved restaurant experience at a reasonable price.

What are they getting right?

Bellillo pizzeria are getting their basics right, offering the 100% best organic products sourced from farms and artisanal producers in Napoli. This helps them to establish their credentials and passion for their business.

Online feedback for their restaurant in Munster Road, Fulham has 4.7/5 for Google Reviews from several hundred customer feedbacks including full marks across many sites such as TripAdvisor, OpenTable and Facebook . Bellillo have further developed their website to allow for online bookings and takeaways via Deliveroo.

Their motto; “Bellillo’s pizza is a result of research, tradition and passion” is demonstrated through their dishes.

What makes them different?

As their ingredients are from Napoli, they are truly authentic hence they can certify that their products have the perfect quality and taste. Additionally, they assist consumers who are conscious of using environmentally sustainable products and ethical supplies when making choices and consequently minimising their collective impact.

These young entrepreneurs have a passion for their food and want to share that with others. Their restaurant is an enjoyable experience, sitting close to other diners and the kitchen where you feel the buzz and happiness.

Bellillo offers their customers the finest organic wood fire pizzas in town. Part of the slow food movement, that defends regional traditions, good food and gastronomic pleasure; it differentiates Bellillo from the rest of its competitors.

What’s new?

Having traded for over two years the owners have opened a restaurant in Barcelona, that has now been trading for a few months. They can now replicate the model in the UK as it is a familiar process for the owners. In the UK there are no signs of ceasing either, with an added central London lease in September 2017.

Additionally, they are planning on adding two more in London, Bond Street and Islington, and a second restaurant in Barcelona. Excitingly, they are also due to open their first site in Napoli, which is their home town.

We are consulting Bellillo to ensure that their investment funds are made tax efficiently. We'll help them scale quickly by implementing management systems for their restaurants. By consulting the directors, we'll make sure they save time and reduce ongoing costs.