Pancho Villa expands to Pirkkala, replacing Pyynikin Smokehouse

Pancho Villa expands to Pirkkala by May Day, taking over Pyynikin Smokehouse and converting it into Pancho Villa, Tamperelainen reports. The new restaurant is the chain's 56th location and comes after Pancho Villa founders Mirko Lännenpää and Janne Paalanen bought the Pyynikin Smokehouse business.

Before the launch, Pyynikin Smokehouse will continue serving customers through March, with a renovation shutdown planned in early April and a Pancho Villa opening by Labour Day. The restaurant will offer about 100 seats and a 40-seat terrace, and all staff will transfer to the new owners and undergo training in Pancho Villa operating models at other sites during April.

The 25-year-old franchisor notes Pirkkala as a natural expansion site, citing the area's growth within the Tampere region and its two service hubs. Vanharanta says the company is optimistic about future growth and that a strong team is key. Lännenpää and Paalanen already run 14 Pancho Villa restaurants, plus four Roberts Coffee cafes and one Bär Bar, with 19 sites generating over €10 million in turnover and employing around 200 people.