When Anisa Khan opened a small pizza shop in Wallington, South London, she never imagined that her playful experiment of topping mozzarella with masala would transform into a city-wide movement. The founder of Bombay Pizza has gone from being a local entrepreneur to one of the UK’s most recognisable young businesswomen, thanks to her standout run on the BBC series The Apprentice and a brand that fuses Britain’s most beloved Indian and Italian cuisines. This week, she took to social media to announce a big milestone of her entrepreneurial venture.
“After launching our first delivery kitchen in Kingston last month, I’m so excited to announce that we’re opening two more delivery kitchens—in Dulwich and Streatham,” she shared. It marks a new chapter in Khan’s booming venture, which has skyrocketed by more than 1000 percent since her television debut earlier this year. Its a journey that has taken her from a single kitchen to queues of fans across London, and now to delivery kitchens opening in multiple city locations.
View this post on Instagram
A dream born in childhood
Khan’s love affair with business and branding began long before her first pizza base was tossed. As a child, she would sit glued to The Apprentice, dreaming one day of building her own company. “I’ve been watching The Apprentice since I was 7 years old—it’s what first made me believe I could build something of my own,” she reflected in her post.
That childhood fascination turned real in 2025 when Khan appeared on the 19th season of the hit BBC One series. Over 11 grueling weeks, she went head-to-head with Britain’s sharpest entrepreneurs in challenges ranging from marketing campaigns to high-pressure boardroom negotiations. In the finale, she pitched her own brand—Bombay Pizza, against fellow contestant Dean Franklin’s air-conditioning business.
Though Lord Alan Sugar ultimately handed the £250,000 investment to Franklin, Khan walked away with something even more valuable: public affection, media buzz, and a national platform for her brand.
Bombay Pizza
What makes Bombay Pizza stand out is its unapologetic celebration of South Asian culture. The Chicken Tikka Masala pizza is a nod to Britain’s most popular curry, the Khan’s Keema Special is a tribute to home-style cooking, while the Bombay Brinjal vegan pizza champions aubergine and spice in equal measure.
Side dishes keep the same energy: chilli paneer slices, fiery Bombay fries, and cheesy garlic coriander bites. In a city saturated with pizzerias, Khan’s fusion concept carved out a niche that appealed to both adventurous diners and second-generation South Asians craving familiar tastes in a new format.
“I saw a gap in the market for South Asian fusion pizzas,” Khan has explained. “What began as an idea quickly grew into a real business, and I’ve never looked back.”
From television spotlight to national sensation
The business itself began almost accidentally. After graduating from the London School of Economics (LSE) with a degree in Economic Development, Khan had lined up a secure role as a tech consultant at Accenture. But when her joining date was deferred during the pandemic, she decided to test an idea she’d been playing with at home.
Out of a small dark kitchen in Sutton, she started serving pizzas with a desi twist. Word spread quickly, and customers began traveling across London to try the inventive pies. Before long, Bombay Pizza became a local cult favourite, and then, through The Apprentice, a national sensation.
“From getting a five-star pizza rating on The Apprentice, to people travelling across London just to try the menu, to now building a delivery network across the city… I’m so grateful,” she wrote.
The Apprentice effect
Appearing on the show transformed both Khan and her business. Not only did the season clinch the title of Best Business Show in the UK, but Khan herself was nominated for Best Female TV Personality at the National Reality TV Awards.
“It’s surreal to think this all started from a single shop in Wallington,” she wrote. “1000% business growth. A national award moment. And a childhood dream turned into real life.”
Her calm leadership, relatable story, and sharp branding instincts made her a fan favourite. In many ways, her Apprentice journey mirrored the ethos of her pizzas: bold, authentic, and unapologetically original.
View this post on Instagram
Building a national brand
Khan’s vision now stretches far beyond South London. “We’ve learned so much from Kingston, made big improvements, and we’re just getting started,” she told her followers. “If you’ve been waiting for Bombay Pizza delivery—it’s happening!”
Her growth strategy is based on delivery kitchens—a model that allows scaling without the overheads of dine-in restaurants. By strategically placing kitchens in high-demand areas, she can reach more customers and grow recognition of Bombay Pizza as a national brand.
“Launching new kitchens across London is just the beginning,” Khan has said. “This will allow me to grow the business strategically, introduce our innovative menu to more customers, and build towards establishing a nationally recognised brand.”
What’s next for Bombay Pizza?
With two new kitchens opening this month and more in the pipeline, Khan is on course to take Bombay Pizza beyond London. The roadmap includes expanding into other major UK cities, tapping into the growing appetite for food that is both familiar and inventive. Bombay Pizza is on its way to becoming a household name, and a proof that when tradition meets innovation, the results can be as satisfying as a slice of masala-topped mozzarella. Read More
