Orkla is making a move into the premium pizza space with an investment in Danish pizza restaurant chain Gorms. Through the agreement, Orkla will acquire a 67 percent interest in Gorms, with the opportunity to increase its stake to 100 percent ownership after an agreed period.

The Scandinavian food group already leads the frozen pizza market in Norway, Sweden and Finland and the investment in Gorms will give the company a prominent position in a new sales channel with good growth. Gorms is a stable branded product with robust growth plans in the restaurant, takeaway and catering segments in Denmark.

Gorms has around 170 employees, and the companys headquarters is located outside Copenhagen, Denmark. The business comprises nine self-owned restaurants in Copenhagen, Odense and Aarhus, as well as three franchise-operated restaurants. The companys current management will remain in place after completion of the agreement. The restaurants will be operated as a separate entity under the Orkla Investments business area.

Anders Kjørup, CEO of Gorms says the company is looking forward to the cooperation with Orkla.

“We have long looked for a partner who could see the value and potential Gorms Pizza has,” he notes. 

“The best part of the deal is that we have a mutual understanding of the importance of Gorms preserving the special culture and ensuring that our Gorm DNA is intact. Looking forward, we will continue to give our guests amazing experiences with renewed energy, utilizing the great skills of both companies to get even better,” explains Kjørup.

Last year Orkla expanded its presence in Denmark by purchasing an 80 percent stake in sales and distribution company SR Food as it seeks to bolster its organic and vegetarian foods offering in Europe.

Last month, the company also bought Danish bakery and breakfast cereal manufacturer Struer Brød through its wholly-owned subsidiary Orkla Foods Sverige