Boomtime for pizza firm could create 200 jobs

Four Star Pizza could create up to 200 jobs across the island of Ireland during 2009, the firm said today.

The Co Wicklow-based franchise, which already has 46 outlets across the Republic and the North, wants to expand into ten new locations in coming months.

The new stores will be based in Armagh city, Cavan, Dundalk, Leixlip, Letterkenny, Newry, Omagh and Wexford town.

Bases in the Dublin suburbs of Blanchardstown and Ballymun are also planned.

Chief executive officer Jason Sheehy said outlets have reported a surge in sales in recent months as many families opt to stay at home and order pizzas instead of going out to restaurants.

“Over the last twelve months we have installed a very sophisticated IT system that monitors and tracks sales,” he said.

“It is clear that come evening time we are getting a big surge in calls, higher than average, for our bigger pizzas, where we have a big value promotion currently.

“It seems sensible to suggest that these are being bought by families with ’staying in being the new going out.”’