Chantelle Danbury of Chanbury’s Woodfired Pizza

Peter and Chantelle Danbury started their business, Chanbury’s Woodfired Pizza initially as a pizza takeaway mobile unit working at festivals, weddings and events over six years ago. Both having a background in the hospitality sector, they wanted to set up their own business to fit around their growing family which utilised their skills.

During the COVID pandemic, like many businesses, they had to rethink their business and they started to sell takeaway pizzas from the mobile unit on their drive to the local community in South Devon. When restrictions started to lift, they moved to a spot in a car park in Kingsteignton with busy trading on a Saturday night. When a retail unit became available in the car park, they jumped at the chance to put the business on a more stable footing.

Two months later in October 2020, having renovated the building completely, they opened the doors and are now trading seven days a week offering takeaway delivery and collection to the local area. “Business is doing well, and we still have the mobile unit which we take to festivals and weddings,” explained Chantelle. “We have one customer who has bought pizzas once a week from us for the past three years!”

The couple now employ around 25 people at any one time at the takeaway and are expanding their offer with “The Meatball Shack” based on the popularity of their hand-rolled meatballs that they use on their pizzas.

The couple have been working with the GetSet Adapt programme team to help build their skills in areas of the business of which they are less confident or need to spend more time working on.

“The GetSet Adapt team have given us some great advice and pointers to help us develop the business, particularly around finance and cashflow,” stated Chantelle. “I’ve also benefited from the workshops they have delivered including one on Developing a Business Mindset and the Fast Track Business Strategy Session.”

“The workshops have helped me to think more strategically about the business and where we are heading based on analysis that I have carried out,” commented Chantelle. She recognises the fact that they have built a strong team which allows her to take time to spend with her children but also step back and analyse the business.

“It has been a really challenging time, however it has given us an opportunity to really look at where we can be more effective and grow the business to counteract the rising costs,” she explains. “However, many customers still value the treat which a takeaway offers for busy families. One of our most popular pizzas features a lovely, local goat cheese and people also love the Dorset gelato we sell,” stated Chantelle.

Her advice to anyone else hoping to grow their business is to “don’t overthink things and to have the confidence in what they are selling. If you work hard and are committed to the success of your business, then it will happen.”

For more information visit https://chanburyswoodfired.com