FAMILY run Italian eatery La Favorita Delivered is to expand its Glasgow operation after being given the thumbs up by the city’s pizza lovers.

Just months after opening their Gibson Street venue in the West End, they now have their eye on a site in Bearsden.

The company started out in Edinburgh, where they now have three sites, and has steadily grown its client base and also offers a delivery service.

Kenny Scott, chief executive, said they had secured planning permission to transform a unit on Bearsden’s Drymen Road into their fifth restaurant and pizzeria. The work will involve installing one of the business’s specially designed pizza ovens.

Mr Scott said: “The ovens have been specially developed to combine the traditional log burning method with a temperature control which results in an authentically cooked pizza.”

The new restaurant in Bearsden will also offer collections and home deliveries to the Bearsden and Milngavie areas.

Around 25 jobs will be created with posts including chefs, waiting staff and managers up for grabs.

The new venue is expected to open in early 2016 and plans for further expansion in the city are already being planned.

Mr Scott continued: “We’re planning to open a restaurant in the South Side at some point.

“We have a couple of areas in mind but nothing is finalised yet.”

La Favorita won various awards for their authentic Italian food including Best Pizza at last year’s Scottish Italian Award and their continued success has fuelled plans to grow.

Mr Scott spoke of the company’s goals for the future.

He said: “We are aiming to expand outwith Scotland and open 50 restaurants all over the UK.”

The company has used crowdfunding website InvestingZone to raise money, where more information on the company’s expansion plans can be found.