Soul Origin looks back to 3 years of success and looks ahead to 2015
Only 3 years old, Soul Origin has managed to open in 18 locations catering to the growing market of hurried consumers looking for a healthy meal.
QSR Media speaks Chris Mavris, Soul Origin's General Manager, to find out what's new with the brand and what we can expect from the growing chain this year.
QSR Media: What is new with the brand?
Chris Mavris: We opened a new store at Macarthur last November 12, bringing our total store count to 18. 11 stores have been opened since May 2014.
Soul Origin's concept is new to the market and revolutionising QS food retail creating a shop front where the product, namely the food is the hero, fresh, healthy, simple, natural food made well every morning available to all, especially those who are challenged through time restraints in this face paced life that we live.
QSR Media: Are there brand updates you would like to share?
Mavris: At our Wollongong Central store opening we satisfied the needs of over 10,000 people in our first week of trade.
At this opening we had all the senior staff within the organisation in the store helping in a hands on manner such was the magnitude of the opening. The founders where in the kitchen and working the front counter while General Manager was pushing out coffees on the machine. This company is built on the attitude of whatever it takes to get the job done, keeping our franchise partners and customers happy.
The senior head office staff all come from a retail background with decades of combined experience in this field. All having owned and operated numerous retail food outlets throughout their careers.
QSR Media: Any challenges and issues in the industry you are facing now?
Mavris: The industry faces challenge’s around rising wage, occupancy and food costs. One of the biggest concerns is weekend penalty rates and finding qualified experienced barista’s, this is driven by the fact that Soul Origin in wanting to raise the bar of what is expected by our customers as the “norm” for good service in Australia. Trying to make retail a serious and rewarding career path again through training and incentivising staff.
QSR Media: What has the brand happily accomplished in 2014?
Mavris: In 2014, we set numerous goals. The big ticket items included: doubling the size of the franchise network , setting up or own distribution network, establishing a systemised internal ordering procedure, updating our website and setting up a H/O structure and support network to assist the growth targets spoken about above.
QSR Media: What are your plans and goals for Australia and 2015? Any international plans?
Mavris: In 2015, we are looking to stream line and systemise further our processes plus further implement industry best practise for everything we do. As we are close to 20 outlets we are in the process of finalising our kilojoule counts for all our products to meet NSW State Legislation. We are currently planning for a larger premises to house Soul Origin, its offices and training facilities,with an eye on interstate expansion before the end of the calendar year.
