A New York-style pizza shop has taken Glasgow by storm since it first opened more than a year ago.
Founded by Paul Beveridge, Sear's Pizza opened its first location on Chancellor Street in September 2024, with people queuing out the door to get a slice of pizza.
Paul, who also owns Ramen Dayo, says it was “pretty overwhelming” how quickly it became a success.
He told the Glasgow Times: “I wasn’t necessarily super shocked [by the popularity], but it was pretty overwhelming.
“We were painting one night and opened the next day.
“The only negative reviews we got were about the wait time.”
Speaking of the brands' popularity, he continued: “I think the authenticity of it is what makes it so popular.
“And I think it being the most superior pizza in the city helps as well.”
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Last week, on Christmas Eve, Glasgow’s second Sear's location opened in Shawlands on Skirving Street.
It marks the brand’s third overall after they opened in Edinburgh earlier this year.
Paul says while he “would definitely not ever recommend anybody trying to open a shop on Christmas Eve,” he was pleased with the response.
He said: “I was always thinking of a second location.
“As soon as one thing’s finished, I’m thinking about the next thing.
“The response has been really really good from everyone in Shawlands.
“We had hundreds of people saying ‘we can’t wait for this’.
“We're looking forward to being in a different area and soaking in the Shawlands vibe.”
Paul says he thinks the new location is “the most stunning shop we’ve made so far”.
He said: “The facade is really cool and with the interiors, we’ve gone above and beyond for this one.
“Crooked Creative Studio does all our sign writing and Solas Neon does all our neon signs; they’re both really great companies.”
The new location will also offer deliveries, as there is more room to make pizza than the Chancellor Street site.
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Paul says he was inspired to open Sear's by “a love for pizza” and New York City slice shops, which he first experienced while visiting the city in the late 80s.
He said: “It’s a core memory going there when I was a wee kid, eating pizza and seeing all the neon signage and bodegas.
“I’ve been back every decade since and even lived in New York in the 2010s for about three months.”
He continued: “The year before last me and my partner went to New York and did a tour of pizza shops.
“We just like ‘why is nobody in Glasgow doing pizza by the slice?’
“It’s such a staple in New York, whereas every other pizza shop I’ve encountered in Scotland is like you have to sit and order.
“I wanted to open a place that was really quick.
“I thought the pizza slice would be the perfect solution for when people are very time poor and lunch, and with the price point, I’m trying to make it as cheap as we can without jeopardising the quality.
“The cheapest slice is £2.”
A third Sears location is expected to open next year in the city centre, which Paul says he is “super excited” about.
He said: “I was trying to map out where would be the best place in the city centre to be.
“I saw one of the units on John Street was up for lease and I thought ‘its meant to be, it’s just like magic’.
“It's equal distance between Glasgow City College, Strathclyde, it’s a great location.”
Sear’s Pizza is located at 8 Chancellor Street and 5 Skirving Street.
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