Australian pizza brand 400 Gradi has earned international recognition as one of the world’s premier artisan pizza chains, placing eighth in the prestigious 50 Top World Artisan Pizza Chains 2025 ranking.
The Melbourne-based chain, led by Johnny Di Francesco, was honoured at the European Pizza Show in London, where the annual guide from 50 Top Pizza—curated by Barbara Guerra, Luciano Pignataro, and Albert Sapere—unveiled its latest rankings.
Di Francesco, described in the announcement as “…a true ambassador of Neapolitan pizza on the Australian continent”, has built 400 Gradi into a multi-location operation known for its authentic approach to traditional Italian pizza-making.
The ranking recognises artisan pizza chains that combine traditional craftsmanship with solid business operations.
In addition to its top-10 placement, 400 Gradi received the ‘Best Customer Satisfaction 2025’ award, sponsored by Maistà, underscoring the chain’s commitment to guest experience alongside pizza quality.
The top spot in the global ranking went to Da Michele, the 150-year-old Neapolitan institution that now operates more than 70 locations across multiple continents. Second place went to Big Mamma Group, while Spain’s Grosso Napoletano took third.
Craftsmanship meets business management
The 50 Top Pizza guide has become the industry’s most influential ranking system, tracking the evolution of artisan pizza chains worldwide.
According to the curators, the movement represents a revolution in pizza, where traditional craftsmanship meets professional business management.
“We are very proud of the artisanal chains guide because over the years we have witnessed a constantly growing movement not only in numbers, but above all in quality,” the curators said in a statement.
The ceremony at the European Pizza Show featured remarks from Italian Ambassador to the United Kingdom Inigo Lambertini, who emphasised pizza’s role as a cultural ambassador. The Italian Embassy in London later hosted a reception for award recipients.
The complete ranking includes 50 chains plus an ‘Excellent’ category, featuring 76 pizza brands from around the world that the guide recommends as must-visit destinations for pizza enthusiasts.
