SumoSalad eyes new locations under new growth strategy
The brand plans to open new stores hospitals, transport hubs and universities.
Under the strategy, SumoSalad will progressively move its stores currently situated in shopping centre food courts to new locations that are more in line with the brand, according to Chief Executive Officer Luke Baylis.
“The move away from food courts is one we have been considering for some time but it’s only become a reality following the trialling of pilot sites of Sumo outlets in new strategic locations, such as the Caltex ‘Foodary’ in Concord, as well as two hospital sites, and two universities within the last 12 months, which has been a huge success,” Baylis said.
"Our brand is all about making healthy food available to all Australians. Our customers have been telling us that there are other, more suitable places where they want our stores to be, including transport hubs, universities and colleges and also hospitals.”
Baylis said SumoSalad was looking at closing up to 10 stores currently located in food courts across Australia over the next year as trading conditions in food courts continued to incur sever cannibalisation from other fast food outlets within the same shopping centres.
He said Sumo was expected to reopen in more appropriate locations with its enhanced and new concept stores during that time.
“There are currently 108 SumoSalad outlets operating and we expect total store numbers to grow to approximately 115 locations,“ Baylis said, noting that the strategy had the support of franchisees.
Sumo has employed expert leasing firm The Urban Food Collective to assist in the execution of this transformational strategy.
In the coming three months, SumoSalad will be opening further stores at Sydney’s prestigious International Airport Terminal, at the Virgin Terminal in Melbourne, Monash University, as well as more Caltex sites. SumoSalad will also be launching its pilot of direct to home and office delivery service.
Photo credit: SumoSalad Facebook page
