Grosso Napoletano: Quality, tradition, innovation, and commitment to authentic Neapolitan pizza
Grosso Napoletano has managed to become a benchmark in the world of artisanal pizza, with a model that blends tradition, quality, and innovation. After opening their 49th restaurant in our Riera de Cassoles building, we interviewed Coke Blas, co-founder of the chain along with Hugo Rodríguez. Blas tells us how the idea of bringing authentic Neapolitan pizza to every corner of Spain came about, always maintaining the essence of a "famiglia" that respects its roots, and why Grosso has had a clear mission from the beginning: to democratize the "verace pizza napoletana".
Barcelona was not only one of the first cities to welcome Grosso Napoletano outside of Madrid, but it has also become a gastronomic benchmark for the brand. Barcelona has been a key city in continuing to explore other cities in Spain. The recent opening in the Gràcia district symbolizes the consolidation of the brand in the Catalan capital.
Grosso considers it very important that their customers feel comfortable. For them, a restaurant is much more than a moment of consumption, and that's what they convey in their establishments and in the new location at the recently created building, which has been a complete success.
Before founding Grosso Napoletano, both Coke and Hugo already had a background in hospitality. Coke opened Ornella, a trattoria in Madrid that was his first encounter with Neapolitan pizza, while Hugo came from the world of marketing and technology consultancy in the gastronomic sector. The combination of their experiences and visions was key to creating a brand that not only aims to make pizzas but also to educate the public about the authenticity of Neapolitan pizza.
The influence of New York and Naples in the birth of Grosso Napoletano
The dream began in 2009, in New York, where Coke and Hugo, both passionate about gastronomy, shared the vision of revolutionizing the concept of pizza. Influenced by the rise of gourmet burgers, they noticed that Neapolitan pizza was being undervalued and decided to bet on a new version. Grosso Napoletano was born with the purpose of showing the world that pizza can be delicious, traditional, and respectful of its original recipe.
Democratizing the true Neapolitan pizza was the main goal of the founders of Grosso Napoletano. Although pizza consumption was very high, they realized that most of the pizza consumed was industrial and not of quality. With Neapolitan pizza, the tradition of Naples of eating a good pizza, with top-quality products and in a fun way, was recovered.
The rapid success of Grosso Napoletano, from its first opening in Madrid to its 50 locations in 25 towns and 11 communities across Spain, has been a constant challenge. Coke Blas explains that "expansion is not just about opening new locations, but about maintaining the high quality standards that made the brand famous from the beginning. Consistency in product, service, and customer experience is crucial to not disappoint those who have trusted in the brand".
The “Grosso family”
More than 700 employees are part of Grosso Napoletano, which is not only dedicated to serving pizza. Another of its goals is to train future pizzaioli through "La Scuola di Grosso", established in 2022, with the purpose of contributing to the professionalization of the sector, sharing its knowledge, and creating valuable employment in a market where finding qualified personnel is very complicated. "Since November 2022 to the present, we have launched 19 promotions of pizzaioli, training over 80 professionals and hiring more than 35, giving them a real opportunity to work and develop in the world of catering. By 2025 alone, we aim to hire more than 50 new pizzaioli," confirms the co-founder.
Since its inception in 2017, the company has grown exponentially. Coke emphasizes that "the real success lies in taking care of their team, fostering a work environment where each member feels part of the "famiglia" and has opportunities for growth". Working in a relaxed atmosphere with a very close-knit team makes Grosso a place where employees feel comfortable and see the company as their own.
The key to success: products imported from Italy combined with local ingredients
Although Grosso Napoletano imports key ingredients from Italy, such as Mozzarella Campana DOP and San Marzano tomatoes, they also commit to local suppliers to ensure the freshness and quality of products like mushrooms, basil, or cherry tomatoes. This blend of Italian tradition with local touches is one of the secrets to their success, allowing customers to enjoy an authentic, sustainable, and delicious pizza.
Grosso's offer is the same across all its restaurants: not only does it serve artisanal pizza, but also Neapolitan starters and desserts.
International recognition and expansion strategy
Grosso Napoletano has been recognized, for the second consecutive year, by the prestigious ranking 50 Top Pizza as the best artisanal pizza chain in the world, an achievement that Coke considers an honor and a great responsibility. This recognition has solidified the brand as a global benchmark, but it has also posed the challenge of maintaining quality and staying true to its values. The year 2025 will be a year of consolidation for Grosso Napoletano, strengthening its business model in each city.
Although internationalization is a clear goal, Grosso Napoletano takes its expansion outside of Spain slowly, prioritizing the care and strengthening of existing outlets. The recipe for its success, according to Coke, seems clear: "grow with sense, maintaining authenticity, quality, and above all, the spirit of a 'famiglia' that continues to conquer hearts and palates."
Grosso Napoletano is not just a chain of pizzerias. It's a story of passion, teamwork, and respect for tradition that leads them to consolidate their business model and build loyalty among their customers through authentic Neapolitan pizzas.
It has been a pleasure, in every sense, to welcome Grosso Napoletano to our venue, a space designed to offer unique experiences. At Grup Nuñez i Navarro, we create environments where exceptional brands can connect with their customers, and Grosso Napoletano is a clear example of this philosophy.
We encourage you to discover it!
