Il Locale Owner and Director Mat Bourget has his sights set on growth, laying the groundwork for his small pizza business to become an industry titan.
Think big, start small
Il Locale opened its first Scarborough location in January 2021 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic with just five employees. Since then, the boutique pizzeria has opened four more stores, expanded its workforce ninefold and become a rising star in the WA hospitality industry.
With five stores in operation by the end of 2024, Bourget is specifically targeting suburbs with few competitors, capitalising on gaps in the market.
“Each new shop is a step towards reaching a broader market and fulfilling increasing demand,” he says.
Bourget speaks fondly of the challenging inception of Il Locale. He began with little knowledge of pizzerias and struggled to secure talent for the business in the midst of a global health crisis.
“By building strong relationships, demonstrating our commitment to quality, and dedicating time to learning the craft, we gained credibility and earned the trust of the chefs we wanted to collaborate with,” he says.
“Every week presents a new challenge, which keeps things exciting and pushes me to think creatively.”
Image is everything
Il Locale has a unique aesthetic and culture compared to its contemporaries. The business boasts bright colours, trendy imagery and a youthful atmosphere that immediately distinguishes them from a traditional pizzeria.
Optima Partners Manager Jessica D’Ammone, Il Locale’s accountant, believes this to be one of the business’ biggest strengths.
“It’s more than just a pizza place, it’s a brand. The colours, the logo, the music. It’s so different from a traditional pizzeria and that sets them apart in the market,” she says.
Il Locale’s voguish branding isn’t just bringing in customers, it’s also opening doors.
“I have landlords calling me, offering us locations because they want our brand in their buildings. It’s made our growth so much easier,” Bourget says.
Bourget is building the brand beyond pizza, with merchandise, sport sponsorships and an app in development behind the scenes.
The Optima relationship
Il Locale came on board with Optima Partners and D’Ammone in June 2024 after some difficulties with its previous accountant. They have since formed a strong working relationship.
“All the support that I’m getting from Jess and Optima is perfect. She’s so knowledgeable in her field that I don’t even need to think about it,” Bourget says.
D’Ammone has been conducting thorough audits of Il Locale’s financials, as well as aiding in the business’ expansion by assisting with cash flow, leasing, payroll and tax obligations.
Bourget believes this support to be invaluable to his growing business.
“It’s an important relationship. We’re growing quite quickly and I often have so many questions,” he says.
“Optima is always available to help. I would 100% recommend them to any business.”
Community matters
Bourget has built many valuable relationships within the Perth business community, which he believes to be vital to Il Locale’s success.
He met his plumber, electrician, designer, lawyer and even D’Ammone all through community interaction.
“We have a strong network in Perth. I don’t even ask for quotes because we trust each other so well. If I need a job done then I know it will be done well,” he says.
Bourget believes that WA is a breeding ground for successful small businesses, and widely endorses the local business community.
Branching out
Further expansion is on the cards for Il Locale, with the east coast earmarked in 2025 and a potential Bali location on the horizon.
Bourget aims to develop a strong franchise network, having studied the systems of the food industry’s biggest names.
“To model these tools after massive companies is so important to me, because that’s what we want to be,” he says.
For more information on how Optima Partners’ services can help your business, contact the team at [email protected] or click here
