Il Locale, Western Australia’s seven-site pizza chain founded by Mat Bourget, is on a $2 million capital raise to expand the business through franchising.
With a mission to be the best in the west, Bourget is now prepping to take the brand to the east coast in 2026.
Bourget told Franchise Executives “We’ve opened six shops in the last four years under my ownership, and now we want to get the brand out there. We still plan further growth in WA, but expect to head east next year.”
The $2 million capital raise will help establish a structured franchise model and a central kitchen on the eastern seaboard. Il Locale has a central production site in WA which services all seven outlets.
The franchise model will be ready early 2026, Bourget forecasts, with interstate growth to start in the second quarter. He will franchise three existing stores to kickstart the model.
Funding will help Il Locale achieve its franchise goal
Bourget is clear about prospective franchise buyers.
“We can break this down into a pizza chef who wants to open their own shop, who has all the kitchen knowledge but lacks business experience, or an investor looking for us to build and train the team,” he said.
Metro and regional areas are in the mix, with typical sites between 80 to 120sqm in local shopping strips, main streets or shopping centres.
Bourget said there is landlord interest in the brand that fills a gap between gourmet and budget options.
“Il Locale provides premium products and great customer experience at an affordable price,” he said.
The chain is known for its sourdough artisan pizzas, sweet and savoury, and modern Italian street food flavours.
