Vegan pizza chain Red Sparrow Pizza has announced plans to open new locations, with a focus on expanding further in Melbourne, and into Sydney, Brisbane and Byron Bay.

The locally owned and operated vegan pizza brand opened in February 2017 by Michael Craig and Shelley Scott with its very first location in edgy Collingwood.

Since then, the dynamic duo have opened an additional site in Prahran, on Chapel Street, and put their concept on wheels with a catering food truck.

According to a survey by Roy Morgan in 2019, plant-based eating has gained a firm grip in Australia with about 12.2 percent of Aussies subscribing to vegetarian diets.

At Red Sparrow Pizza the menu is not just entirely plant-based, it harks back to the traditions of Italian pizza making.

The pizzas are made using traditional Neopolitan techniques. The dough is fermented for at least 48 hours to improve flavour and digestibility with each ball of dough being hand-stretched to order; the pizzas are cooked in Italian wood-fired ovens in just 60-90 seconds creating light bases with a crispy charred crust.

Pizzas have a premium San Marzano tomato base, and include vegan interpretations of classic dishes such as the pepperoni pizza.

Red Sparrow Pizza is now on the hunt for pizza aficionados to take their brand around the country and has linked with DC Strategy consultancy firm to help recruit new franchisees.

The business boasts a simple business model that has a strong focus on takeaway and delivery. Franchisees will benefit from social media presence, franchisor support, and even a behind-the-scenes chef to prepare high quality ingredients ordered by sustainable suppliers.