Dundee to be European first for US chain Project Pie
An American pizza restaurant chain is bidding to open its first European outlet in Dundee.
Project Pie have lodged a planning application to open a "fast casual" pizza restaurant on Reform Street.
The Las Vegas-based chain currently has locations across the US and the Philippines, and now plan to expand across Europe - via Scotland.
The firm said it had been attracted by Dundee's "changing for the future" motto.
If approved, the restaurant will be built in the B-listed former Santander Bank building on Reform Street, which has been vacant for 18 months.
A supporting statement to local authority planners from architects Nicol Russell Studios said the city's regeneration programme and "changing for the future" motto had struck a chord with the American firm, which was founded two years ago by James Markham.
It reads: "Dundee will benefit from the prestige of being recognised as the first Project Pie to open in the UK, and indeed Europe.
"The owners have chosen Dundee because they associate with the city's drive of "changing for the future" which includes the transformation of Reform Street.
"Another strong driver is the large student population which is very centralised and seeking more diversity in Dundee's food and beverage offering."
The report also notes that business review site Yelp rates Project Pie as the "number one emerging brand in the USA".
The restaurant would create 14 full-time and seven part-time jobs in the city.
Project Pie is not the only chain to be taking an interest in Dundee, with the latest pub by Scottish craft brewery BrewDog set to open in the city on Saturday.
The city is undergoing a £1bn transformation as part of a waterfront regeneration programme.