The Radical Design of PizzaExpress • Hacker News Board

Re: The Radical Design of PizzaExpress

#11

Post by ianvisits » Thu, Jan 19, 2023, 8:57 AM UTC

walthamstow wrote: post #10

> Yet many British chains have had zero impact on culture ... There are two big exceptions to this rule: Wagamama and PizzaExpress. Can't believe they've forgotten about Nando's! Easily the most culturally significant restaurant chain in the UK, from grime music to the ubiquitous "cheeky nando's" phraseology

Nando's isn't a British chain though.

Re: The Radical Design of PizzaExpress

#12

Post by walthamstow » Thu, Jan 19, 2023, 9:07 AM UTC

ianvisits wrote: post #11

walthamstow wrote: post #10

> Yet many British chains have had zero impact on culture ... There are two big exceptions to this rule: Wagamama and PizzaExpress. Can't believe they've forgotten about Nando's! Easily the most culturally significant restaurant chain in the UK, from grime music to the ubiquitous "cheeky nando's" phraseology

Nando's isn't a British chain though.

Ah, there's me confusing 'British restaurant chain' with 'restaurant chain in Britain'.

I'm sure the UK is by far their largest market though, and it has had an impact on 21st century UK popular culture far away and above any other restaurant.

Re: The Radical Design of PizzaExpress

#13

Post by samwillis » Thu, Jan 19, 2023, 9:14 AM UTC

As a parent to 8 and 4yo children, fundamentally what they have right is the experience for families. My kids are entertained with colouring while they wait for food, which they love, almost all kids love pizza. It makes them feel they are in a "proper restaurant". While my wife and I can have a nice drink and good food and it doesn't break the bank. Catering to both kids and adults well is hard, that's what makes it a winner in our household.

Ask my kids where they would like to go out for dinner, it's always PizzaExpress.

Re: The Radical Design of PizzaExpress

#14

Post by boomboomsubban » Thu, Jan 19, 2023, 9:14 AM UTC

walthamstow wrote: post #12

ianvisits wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Nando's isn't a British chain though.

Ah, there's me confusing 'British restaurant chain' with 'restaurant chain in Britain'. I'm sure the UK is by far their largest market though, and it has had an impact on 21st century UK popular culture far away and above any other restaurant.

Largest market yes, by far no. The UK has around 400 Nandos, South Africa around 350.

Re: The Radical Design of PizzaExpress

#15

Post by mrlonglong » Thu, Jan 19, 2023, 9:15 AM UTC

Domino's is lot better, more tastier pizzas.

Re: The Radical Design of PizzaExpress

#16

Post by maxehmookau » Thu, Jan 19, 2023, 9:34 AM UTC

mrlonglong wrote: post #15

Domino's is lot better, more tastier pizzas.

They're fundamentally different products. If I went to PizzaExpress and was served pizza like they made in Dominos, I'd be hella disappointed.

It's like comparing instant coffee to a barista-made espresso. Yeah, technically both coffee but they're not the same.

Re: The Radical Design of PizzaExpress

#17

Post by maxehmookau » Thu, Jan 19, 2023, 9:35 AM UTC

At someone in their 30s now, PizzaExpress was somewhere me and my dad would go as a child. It gave me the feeling of being a grown up, eating at a "real" restaurant.

As an adult now, me and my wife still go because it's good and consistent!

Re: The Radical Design of PizzaExpress

#18

Post by thorin » Thu, Jan 19, 2023, 10:35 AM UTC

walthamstow wrote: post #10

> Yet many British chains have had zero impact on culture ... There are two big exceptions to this rule: Wagamama and PizzaExpress. Can't believe they've forgotten about Nando's! Easily the most culturally significant restaurant chain in the UK, from grime music to the ubiquitous "cheeky nando's" phraseology

Nandos was in South Africa at least 10 years before it got popular in the UK. I was pretty disappointed when I went there.

Re: The Radical Design of PizzaExpress

#19

Post by thorin » Thu, Jan 19, 2023, 10:38 AM UTC

The other things I put in the same group would be Pret A Manger (more of a takeaway/cafe) and also Cranks. I was in London at the same time as these chains were taking off before they spread to the greater UK. Cranks was such a great healthy / vegetarian cafe with a few shops, everyone loved their food but I think when they tried to expand it all went wrong. If I'm somewhere and want decent simple food and can't be bothered to work out where will be good, especially with kids I'd always go for Pret, Pizza Express or Waggamammas

Re: The Radical Design of PizzaExpress

#20

Post by detritus » Thu, Jan 19, 2023, 10:46 AM UTC

walthamstow wrote: post #10

> Yet many British chains have had zero impact on culture ... There are two big exceptions to this rule: Wagamama and PizzaExpress. Can't believe they've forgotten about Nando's! Easily the most culturally significant restaurant chain in the UK, from grime music to the ubiquitous "cheeky nando's" phraseology

Given your nickname here, you might be conflating London and the South East with the UK generally.

Signed, 'Haringey' :)