CLASSIC PIZZA RESTAURANT HANGON MAKARONITEHDAS PRESS RELEASE 31.10.2016 Classic Pizza Restaurant and HangonMakaronitehdas won Kasvu Open 2016 Start again- series Kasvu Open is Finland´s largest sparring program for small and medium sized companies that are eager to grow and go to the international market. Throughout the competition these growth oriented companies have an opportunity to present their own growth plans to a great number of experts, free of charge. The program culminated last week with Kasvu Open Carneval event in Jyväskylä. Classic Pizza Restaurant / Hangon Makaronitehdas won the first prize in a series of companies already operating – Kasvu Open Start again. Classic Pizza Restaurant / Hangon Makaronitehdas have the best potential for growth and internationalization. The winners were selected from the 79 Kasvu Open finalists, who were chosen from over 700 companies that took part to Kasvu Open program by presenting their growth plans. Companies were from different industries and in different parts of the country. During the year, companies got free coaching from experts in various fields. The jury opened the selection criteria Classic Pizza Restaurant / Hangon Makaronitehdas stated that they prepare pizza and fresh pasta from high-quality ingredients and have surprising recipes and do all this better than anyone else. According to the jury, the company has caught the trend: people consume less, but better. They are not competing with price, but everyday luxury. The world's best pizza chain in Finland is a fine and brave idea. "Our country does not increase with technology alone, but needs the service and marketing expertise as well. By going international, Classic Pizza Restaurant / Hangon Makaronitehdas are becoming a good example of this", the jury said. "Our more than 20 years work for the quality and service, has now been noticed. We are humbled to thank for this amazing journey all our customers, as well as the whole personnel, through whom the everyday luxury and superior customer experience is built every single day", says Business Operations Director, Terhi Okkonen. "Our work for the disruption of restaurant business continues now harder than ever before. Our goal is to open each year 4 to 6 new restaurants, and the first restaurant outside Finnish borders will be opened next spring", continues Terhi Okkonen. CLASSICPIZZA.FI HANGONMAKARONITEHDAS.FI CLASSIC PIZZA RESTAURANT HANGON MAKARONITEHDAS PRESS RELEASE 31.10.2016 Kasvu Open 2016 nationwide jury consists of the Finnish business angel network FIBA Association's Chairman Jaakko Salminen, Butterfly Ventures founder and shareholder Juho Risku, a serial entrepreneur, professor at the University of Eastern Finland Anssi Lehikoinen, Largo Capital's Managing Director Seppo Sneck (Chairman), Pihlajalinna Group's Deputy Managing Director Leena Niemistö and private equity investor Mr. Juho Lipsanen. Secretary of the jury Nina Rautiainen Kasvu Open Team. www.kasvuopen.fi More information Business Operations Director Terhi Okkonen +358 50 388 9600 [email protected] Classic Pizza Restaurant is a Finnish gourmet pizza restaurant chain priding itself in its high quality pizzas made out of the best available ingredients, and offering everyday luxury experiences to its customers. Classic Pizza Restaurant has received various food magazine prizes and industry recognitions, including Gloria Ruoka&Viini's (respected Finnish food&wine magazine) prize for Finland's best pizza. Classic Pizza Restaurant has currently 12 restaurants with A drinks sales rights across Finland, stretching from Hanko to Ruka. Classic Pizza Restaurant is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2016, and in the future it plans to grow the number of its restaurants with approximately four to six restaurants per year. Classic Pizza Restaurant employs 120 to 200 staff members depending on the season. www.classicpizza.fi Hangon Makaronitehdas is a restaurant focused on fresh pasta made in its premises, and they are known for using as many organic and ecological high quality ingredients as possible in their recipes. In addition to daily prepared fresh pasta the restaurant offers its customers an extensive champagne and wine list to enjoy together with the tasty food. Hangon Makaronitehdas was founded in 2010 and it has been awarded the Image Magazine's (Finnish lifestyle magazine) 2014 best food culture representatives, new comers and phenomena prize. Besides of Hanko, You can find Makaronitehdas as well from Jumbo shopping centre in Vantaa and Iso Omena shopping centre in Espoo. www.makaronitehdas.fi CLASSICPIZZA.FI HANGONMAKARONITEHDAS.FI .