Pizza Paï

Pizza Paï is a French restaurant chain founded in February 1979 with the support of Gérard Mulliez, founder of the Auchan group. Initially positioned as a pizza and Mediterranean specialty restaurant, the brand grew into a significant regional chain, reaching 69 restaurants by February 2002 and serving around 6 million customers a year. The network then contracted, and by March 2015 it operated 43 outlets plus 15 Pizza Paï Presto points of sale. In May 2015, Philippe Roux succeeded Jean Bentivenga as general manager. By 2025, only four restaurants remained, all in the Nord and Pas-de-Calais departments of France. In March 2025 the brand was acquired by Victuris Investissements, which decided to transform it into a Mediterranean-style buffet concept while preserving its core identity. The new format emphasizes simple cooking based on fresh ingredients, prepared in the company's own workshop in Lomme. Since May 2026 the chain has been led by Karine Vasseur. According to its website, the current Pizza Paï experience centers on an all-you-can-eat buffet covering starters, pizzas, pasta and desserts, with drinks not included in the buffet. The restaurants offer a warm atmosphere, happy hours and themed evenings, along with a dedicated children's play area. The brand's slogan has evolved over time: « Ça dépayse » in earlier years (exact date unknown), « C'est bien plus qu'un restaurant ! » from 2017, and « Encore plus de MIAM » from 2026. The website lists locations in Boulogne, Grande-Synthe, Noyelles-Godault and Petite-Forêt, and shows an average customer rating of 4.2/5 based on 18,969 reviews.

Pizza Paï was established in February 1979 under the impetus of Gérard Mulliez, the founder of the Auchan group. The chain offered Mediterranean specialty dishes such as pizzas, pastas, paella and moussaka. It expanded steadily and by February 2002 counted 69 restaurants serving approximately 6 million customers annually. In March 2015 the network comprised 43 units and 15 Pizza Paï Presto points of sale. In May 2015 Philippe Roux became general manager, replacing Jean Bentivenga. By 2025 the chain had shrunk to just four restaurants, all in the Nord and Pas-de-Calais departments. In March 2025 the brand was acquired by Victuris Investissements, which chose to retain the brand's core identity while converting it into an all-you-can-eat buffet format with a Mediterranean focus, featuring simple cuisine made from fresh products in its own workshop in Lomme. Since May 2026 Karine Waguet has led the chain. The visual identity and slogans have evolved: 'Ça dépayse' in unknown years, 'C'est bien plus qu'un restaurant !' from 2017, and 'Encore plus de MIAM' from 2026.

• Pizza Paï founded with backing from Gérard Mulliez.

• Chain reaches 69 restaurants and 6 million customers per year.

• Network comprises 43 units and 15 Pizza Paï Presto points of sale.

• Philippe Roux becomes general manager, succeeding Jean Bentivenga.

• Slogan 'C'est bien plus qu'un restaurant !' adopted.

• Only four restaurants remain, all in Nord and Pas-de-Calais.

• Brand acquired by Victuris Investissements; transformed into all-you-can-eat Mediterranean buffet.

• Karine Waguet takes over leadership of the chain.

• Slogan 'Encore plus de MIAM' introduced.

Family-friendly, convivial all-you-can-eat Mediterranean buffet restaurant chain.

• All-you-can-eat buffet

  Unlimited starters, pizzas, pastas and desserts; drinks excluded.

• Pizzas

  Variety of pizzas available on the buffet.

• Pastas

  Pasta dishes included in the buffet.

• Mediterranean specialties

  Paella, moussaka and other Mediterranean dishes.

1. 1Pizza Paï: Nos buffets à volonté - Pizza Païpizzapai.fr
2. 2Pizza Paï - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Pizza Paï - Wikipédiafr.wikipedia.org