Telepizza

Telepizza is a Spanish multinational pizza chain that has become the largest pizza company outside North America by store count. Founded in 1987 by Leopoldo Fernández Pujals, a Cuban-born American entrepreneur, the brand started as "Pizza Phone" in Madrid's El Pilar neighborhood. It grew rapidly, reaching 200 locations in Spain by 1995 and capturing a 52% market share. The company's journey has been marked by dramatic boardroom battles, a public listing, and international expansion across Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.

Under Pujals' leadership, Telepizza pioneered the home-delivery pizza model in Spain. The company's early success was fueled by a centralized production system, with factories in Guadalajara, Barcelona, Móstoles, and Alcobendas, later consolidated into a single facility in Daganzo de Arriba, Madrid. This logistical efficiency allowed for consistent quality and rapid delivery, helping Telepizza dominate the Spanish market.

The company's history includes a notable board coup in 1995, when Pujals was ousted by his brother and minority shareholders, only to return a year later with backing from BBVA. In 1996, Telepizza became the first pizza chain to list on the Spanish stock exchange. Pujals eventually sold his stake in 1999, leading to a change in control. The brand continued to expand, acquiring Colombia's Jeno's Pizza in 2010 and launching in the UK and Iran in 2017. However, recent years have seen strategic retreats, including closures in Chile and rebranding in Guatemala and El Salvador. [edit]