Italy’s number one selling frozen pizza, Dr. Oetker, has fast become one of Australia’s favourites since entering the market with its range of Ristorante frozen pizzas.

Dr. Oetker Ristorante pizza entered the Australian market 12 months ago, selling in all Coles supermarkets nationwide. Its Mozzarella pizza recently became the number one selling frozen pizza in Coles.

The German company expanded even further last month with the acquisition of Simplot’s frozen pizza business in Australia. The purchase includes the Papa Giuseppi’s frozen pizza brand, all current private label frozen pizza business, and the pizza assets at Simplot’s Pakenham facility.

Declan O’Leary, Managing Director of Dr. Oetker Australia, says the acquisition, which will be effective in April 2011, forms part of the company’s international expansion plans. “For Dr.Oetker, a global leader in frozen pizza, this represents a significant step towards achieving our international growth strategy.

“Encouraged by the success of our Ristorante brand in Australia, we look forward to the next stage of our growth plan in establishing ourselves as a national supplier of frozen pizza in the Australian market,” says O’Leary.

Continuing with its Australian growth strategy, Dr. Oetker is now able to supply all retailers.

The Ristorante range currently includes four vegetarian options – Mozzarella, Funghi, Spinachi and Quattro Formaggi – with further plans to launch more products in Australia later this year.

“After seeing the success of our vegetarian pizzas over the past 12 months, it makes sense to develop our Ristorante range and we have plans in place to introduce new products in Australia in the second half of 2011,” says O’Leary.

A family-owned business in its fourth generation, Dr. Oetker was founded in 1891 and is now a market leading company in the frozen pizza sector in over 40 countries worldwide.

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