Crosta Mollica merges with Nestlé pizza spin-off in Europe

Crosta Mollica has joined forces with the European pizza business spun off by Nestlé three years ago in a merger that creates a combined entity with €1bn in retail sales. London-based Crosta Mollica, which targets the premium sector of the UK pizza market, announced the union with European Pizza Group (EPG) will combine their assets under a single umbrella.

The merged group will operate ten European markets, with manufacturing facilities in Germany and Italy. Crosta Mollica uses a co-production partner in Italy to bolster its Made in Italy brand.

According to the company's latest financials, Crosta Mollica's retail sales grew to €270m from €90m, while operating profit increased to £7.6m from £4.2m as of June 2025. The company's retail sales have risen to €270m from €90m since Milner and current CEO Tom Sirett joined in January 2024. Milner stated that Wagner and Buitoni, strong European brands, complement Crosta Mollica's portfolio, and the focus will be on leveraging the combined group's scale and capabilities to accelerate growth.

After the merger, Crosta Mollica and EPG will remain as separate entities, with Milner serving as CEO of the combined group. Sirett will continue as CEO of Crosta Mollica, while Matthias Casanova remains CEO of EPG. No immediate plans exist to alter either company's operating model. The transaction takes place amid favorable tailwinds in Europe's pizza market.

Perwyn continues to back Crosta Mollica, alongside Nestlé and PAI Partners. Nestlé retains a non-controlling stake alongside PAI Partners, which previously held a 40% stake in the European pizza business that spun off in 2023. The business had an annual turnover of SFr400m ($485.9m) at that time, serving Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Switzerland, and Portugal, among other markets. Nestlé is also in a joint-venture partnership with PAI Partners in ice cream with UK-based Froneri.