Crosta Mollica and European Pizza Group announce merger

Crosta Mollica and European Pizza Group have announced a merger that will bring the Crosta Mollica, Wagner and Buitoni pizza brands together in a business with combined retail sales of €1 billion.

Crosta Mollica Chairman David Milner will become Group CEO. Tom Sirett will remain CEO of Crosta Mollica, while Matthias Casanova will continue as CEO of European Pizza Group. The companies say both businesses will continue to operate independently, with no immediate changes planned to their operating models.

Crosta Mollica’s retail sales have risen from €90 million to €270 million since Milner and Sirett joined the business in January 2024. European Pizza Group, which was spun out of Nestlé in September 2023, supplies the Wagner and Buitoni brands across ten core European markets, with manufacturing operations in Germany and Italy.

Commenting on the merger, Milner said: “We have outstanding brands, talented people, and a strong platform from which to take the business forward.”

In a LinkedIn post, Milner pointed to growing demand for premium pizza in grocery as consumers seek restaurant-quality meals at home. He added: “With the amazing teams at Crosta Mollica and European Pizza Group we are shaking up the entire pizza category!”

The combined group will continue to be backed by the existing shareholders of the two businesses: PAI, Perwyn, Nestlé and management.