While the majority of restaurants would do anything to attract a larger footfall, one restaurant in Bridgend approaches business a little differently. Family-run Franco’s Vecchio Italian Restaurant is all about getting it right, and putting a smile on people’s faces.

Franco Scuto, 52, is originally from Sicily, but he’s been bringing his love for food to Bridgend now for 30 years in various different restaurants. He has run this particular business for 10 years now, and has found a loyal customer base which even drove him to open up a takeaway as part of his restaurant in 2019.

Despite ups and downs over the years, Franco says he doesn’t ever want to leave Bridgend. And he is now so happy with the way things are going for the foreseeable that he wants to focus on the customers he has got, rather than try and expand further. You can get more Bridgend news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.

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And it was all just by a stroke of luck that Franco ended up bringing his love for Italian food to the Welsh town. 30 years ago, Franco met a girl in Ibiza who was from Bridgend and ended up coming over with her.

Although they didn’t stay together, Franco had fallen in love with the Welsh culture, and decided to stay in Bridgend. It was here that he then met his wife, who was from Wales, and they started a family and life together in the area.

“Over the years, the town has really changed and it isn’t what it used to be”, Franco told WalesOnline. So I do think it’s important we remain here to serve our local customers and bring proper Italian food to the area.

“I love putting a smile on people’s faces. It brings me a lot of happiness to see people leave looking more joyful, after you have been able to provide them with good service, as well as good food.”

When asked what the secret is to good Italian cooking, Franco said: “It’s all about perfection for me. I don’t want to serve anyone a dish unless it is absolutely perfect.”

But things haven’t always been smooth sailing for Franco – in October 2022 it looked like he might have to shut his doors for good as his bills were shooting up left, right and centre. But thankfully he has managed to stay open, and hopes to stay there for a long time to come.

“It hasn’t always been easy. You can’t please everyone in an age of social media, but I’ve learned to focus on the good feedback I’ve had and be grateful for what I have got.”

Franco’s restaurant is nestled in the heart of the town centre by the River Ogmore, and around the corner from Morgans Bistro, but still not everyone knows they are there. He added: “We are quite hidden in the town and that’s what I like about it. We don’t do any advertising and I like to focus on the customers that come in and make sure they have a good experience.

“We never want to move from Bridgend, but don’t see ourselves expanding any more. I am a perfectionist and want to be involved with everything and I don’t trust anyone else to do it.

“I am a waiter, a chef and a business owner all in one. I like to do things myself a lot of the time. I never want to do anything else for work – if I didn’t work in Italian food I don’t know what I would do.”