Dough Your Own Pizza: Grangemouth firm launches new product

Robert Buchanan, who officially launched Kloist Foods a year ago, is now preparing for the company’s first branded product – Dough Your Own Pizza – to hit Iceland’s shelves nationwide from next month.

The 28-year-old’s business may be new but the idea for the venture first began bubbling away in the background in 2016.

The kit, which contains authentic dough – enough for two adults and two children – and a tomato sauce, is a UK first.

The former chef, who started his career at Mahratta in Grangemouth, worked his way up the ladder and held positions at The Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh and The Ritz in London.

Family ties to the armed services pulled Mr Buchanan away from the hospitality sector.

After serving his country for eight years, the ex-Grangemouth High School pupil eventually decided to send an application to a business incubator programme overseen by Scottish billionaire Sir Tom.

The pitch, which outlined the basis for Kloist Foods’ current food packaging and manufacturing services, caught the attention of an initial judging panel.

Mr Buchanan was then invited to present his idea to Sir Tom and fellow Scottish entrepreneur Dame Ann Gloag, the co-founder of Stagecoach.

The end result was a programme award and the validation he needed to press ahead with his plan.

Reflecting on that experience and his whirlwind journey, Mr Buchanan said: “It was like going in front of Simon Cowell!

"The idea got torn apart before it got to where it is now. When somebody like Sir Tom said this was a good idea, I thought I was on to something.

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“I always wanted to set up my own company. I started with £25 and I haven’t been to uni. People need to know this can be done.

“We’ve expanded much more quickly than I thought. We pride ourselves on developing and manufacturing innovative food products.

“In the last month we’ve started supplying restaurants in Edinburgh.

“We do a lot of manufacturing via Albert Bartlett. We also do a lot of own-brand manufacturing.

“You'll see products that look like they come from different brands but the packaging and design will be done by us.”

Satisfyingly for Kloist Foods’ seven-strong team of staff, its Dough Your Own Pizza product is one which has been catching the eye of shoppers.

Mr Buchanan said: “Outside of the US, nobody has done it as a branded product.

“It produces something the children and family can get involved with. You can do whatever you want with it.

“We’ve launched into a number of stockists and are now discussing the final parts of an agreement with Iceland stores.

“It’s selling really well. In the first three months since launching, we’ve sold more than 2000.

“We’re expecting a massive growth initially, then it will level out. It will grow substantially.”

Supporting charities is a key focus for Kloist Foods, which has signed up to sponsor a US fundraiser in aid of MS Society Scotland and the Scottish Association for Mental Health.

Since forming, the business has also sponsored a bear enclosure at Five Sisters Zoo in West Lothian.

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