If your business sells pizza, pasta or Italian food, PAPA membership provides practical support, industry information and a collective voice for your business.
Whether you are an independent operator, part of a larger chain, a retailer or a caterer, membership gives you access to advice and resources to help you run your business, while supporting the Association’s work to represent the interests of the pizza, pasta and Italian food sector.
Who is Retail Membership for?
Retail Membership is for businesses selling pizza, pasta and Italian food directly to consumers. This includes restaurants, pizzerias, takeaway and delivery businesses, multiple-site operators, high street and convenience retailers, caterers and other businesses operating within the market.
What does Retail Membership include?
Advice and guidance
Members have access to the Association’s helpline services, guidelines and practical advice, including technical and legal guidance together with HR and employment support.
Primary Authority advice
Members are covered by the Association’s Primary Authority Agreement. By following PAPA’s Assured Advice, members have an additional level of protection if challenged by Environmental Health Officers on matters covered by that advice. Members can also use the Association’s Primary Authority and Government links to seek clarification on specific issues, including labelling.
The Food to Go Guide
Members have access to the Food to Go Guide, bringing together practical guidance across areas including food safety, fire safety and employment law. It also includes Assured Advice covered by the Association’s Primary Authority Agreement.
Training and learning
Members can access discounted online training provided in partnership with specialist training providers, alongside informative webinars on subjects relevant to running their businesses.
Industry information
Regular member bulletins help keep you and your colleagues informed about changes in legislation, industry developments and other issues that could affect your business. Colleagues within member businesses can also be registered to receive these updates.
Meetings, networking and working groups
Membership provides opportunities to meet other businesses, share information and discuss issues of common interest through meetings and industry working groups. Working groups bring together retailers, manufacturers, suppliers and specialists to consider particular challenges facing the sector and identify practical solutions.
A voice for retailers and operators
Running a pizza, pasta or Italian food business means dealing with decisions and regulations made far beyond your own premises. An important part of the Association’s role is making sure the industry’s perspective is heard when those decisions are being made.
PAPA engages with Government and other organisations on issues affecting operators and the wider sector, including employment, packaging and environmental requirements, nutrition policy and food safety. Where an issue particularly affects pizza, pasta or Italian food businesses, the Association can represent the collective interests of members and raise concerns on behalf of the industry.
Support when issues arise
Members can access advice and support when dealing with issues that affect their businesses or the wider industry. This includes support in dealing with the media, with the Association able to act as an industry spokesperson where appropriate and help members respond to potentially negative publicity.
Promoting the industry
Membership connects retailers and operators with wider Association activity designed to support and promote the pizza, pasta and Italian food market. This includes the PAPA Industry Awards, which recognise achievement and good practice across the sector.
The awards also provide an opportunity to meet businesses and individuals from across the industry, with members receiving a discount on tickets to the awards dinner.
Industry magazine
Membership includes a subscription to Pizza, Pasta & Italian Food Magazine, helping you keep up with new products, ideas, developments and businesses across the market.
Membership recognition
Retail Members receive a membership certificate to display in their business and can use the PAPA membership logo in their own marketing. Membership demonstrates your connection with the wider pizza, pasta and Italian food industry and your support for the work of its representative Association.
What does it cost?
Annual membership starts at £55 + VAT for one outlet. The price depends on the number of outlets in your business.
How do I join?
PAPA Retail Membership is purchased through the Food to Go Guide website. Your annual subscription includes access to the Guide alongside the benefits of PAPA membership.
If you’d like to discuss Retail Membership or find out whether it’s right for your business, contact:
Andy Williams
Membership Accounts Manager
Telephone: 01291 636341
Email: