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Halal chain Super Pizza celebrates 20 years in business

Walk through any town centre in Kent and you're sure to see at least one pizza takeaway - mainly offering the same menu.

But a business which is slightly different is Super Pizza which has outlets in Chatham, Maidstone, Ashford, Folkestone and Dover.

What sets it out is the fact it is halal - meaning its food and practices adhere to the Islamic religion as stated within the holy book, the Quran.

Foods permited include meat slaughtered in a certain way, and prohibited from consumption are pork and alcohol.

When Super Pizza was founded in London's Old Kent Road 20 years ago, it was believed to be the first halal takeaway in the capital.

This allowed practising muslims to enjoy their food as well as non-muslims.

Chatham’s Super Pizza branch is the most popular in Kent
Chatham’s Super Pizza branch is the most popular in Kent

Account manager Mohammad Nabil Aziz explained: “We chose to run a halal business because of the growing population of muslims, that was one of the driving forces.

“When we first started Super Pizza, it wasn’t halal, but a few months later on we made it so and it was the first local pizza shops to serve halal food.”

Super Pizza account manager, Mohammad Nabil Aziz
Super Pizza account manager, Mohammad Nabil Aziz

All of the ingredients are fully halal, from the beef pepperoni to the turkey bacon, drawing in lots of muslim customers who would usually have to choose their takeaway option carefully.

The company's branch in Batchelor Street, Chatham, is its busiest in Kent.

Mohammed added: “I'd say 80% of our customers are loyal – they come in again and again.

“Even if the shop is closed, they won’t order anywhere else but they will wait one day for us and then when the shop is open they come. They are all like family," said Mohammad.

Branch owner Mohabat Khan, who says their 18-inch, £11.99 feast is the biggest pizza in town, believes being halal is really important.

He said: "We have customers from Dartford and Sittingbourne, far away just to come here. They eat once and they come back here.”

Mohammad added: “Even when it comes to our ingredients, we have exclusive ingredients for Super Pizza. With the cheese as well, we have our own special blend for Super Pizza. This is what makes us different.

Chatham Super Pizza store owner, Mohabat Khan
Chatham Super Pizza store owner, Mohabat Khan

“When it comes to our menu, even the chicken we use is all 100% chicken breast. Even with our pepperoni, it’s 100% meat, nothing else, no fat and low in calories.”

Ironically, Mohabat says, some of his most loyal customers are from big business competitors: “A lot of the Domino’s staff who are muslim, when they finish their shift they come to eat here.”

To make its 20 years in business, Super Pizza is celebrating its anniversary milestone at its head office in Dartford later this year.

Mohammad said: “That's where we have our head office, our own warehouse, supplies and everything.

"We’re going to gather all the franchises together to celebrate.”

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