Project Overview: An artisan pizza company in Edinburgh was facing logistical challenges with a recent surge in demand. They wanted to improve their production and efficiency while maintaining the handmade quality their customers loved. The founders needed help identifying operational improvements that would optimize workflows and expand their customer reach.

My Role and Approach: As a product manager and operations advisor, I guided the founders through a detailed audit of their processes. Using Lean Startup principles, I helped them map their supply chain, kitchen workflow, and delivery logistics to identify bottlenecks. Together, we developed an efficiency plan that would accommodate growth while upholding their high standards.

Introduced batch preparation techniques for certain pizza components, reducing prep time by 25% without compromising on quality.

Recommended investing in the acquisition of a series of pizza restaurants around the Midlothian area, allowing them to expand their customer base.

Implemented a customer feedback loop via QR codes, enabling real-time insight on service and pizza quality, which improved their product iteratively.

Growth by Acquisition Strategy: The founders started as a food truck company but are now implementing a growth-by-acquisition strategy. They have begun acquiring small pizzerias in nearby towns, expanding their artisan service while maintaining small-batch production. This approach lets them reach new local markets while keeping the authenticity that first attracted their Edinburgh customers.

Results: The operational improvements boosted production capacity by 40% and reduced average waiting times by 5 minutes. Customer satisfaction scores rose, and the increased reach is helping them capture a larger share of Scotland’s artisan pizza market. This strategy allowed them to keep the ‘artisan’ touch while meeting demand with confidence.