SaladStop! chain raises capital

Singapore-based SaladStop! chain of salad bars has raised S$5 million (US$3.6 million) from private equity firms Hera Capital and DSG Consumer Partners for a minority stake in the company.

SaladStop! is the Asian pioneer of a quick service concept oering salads, wraps, grain bowls and more. Growing from its home market in Singapore, SaladStop! currently operates 15 outlets in Singapore and eight in the Philippines, with outlets in Japan, Indonesia and Hong Kong slated to open by the end of the year.

Behind SaladStop!’s concept is the movement “Eat Wide Awake”, stressing a conscious awareness of food consumption and building on a founding commitment to sourcing ever more responsibly by working with partners with a similar ethos. As part of its core beliefs, SaladStop! believes it is a basic right to truly eat well and know more about the way food is grown and served. SaladStop! is committed to not only promoting a health movement in the region but also a new way to support local farmers committed to positive change.

The company’s first round of funding will be heavily focused on growing its footprint in Singapore, investing in new ventures and continuing to develop its technological platforms.

Speaking on the company’s growth, Adrien Desbaillets, SaladStop!’s managing director, said: “SaladStop! is delighted  to welcome Hera Capital and DSG partners as new shareholders and we are very excited to be working alongside such established partners in writing the next chapter in SaladStop!’s journey. Most importantly, we share a common vision for the brand which enables us to make choices for the long term and also invest in the right areas to full both purpose and prot.”

SaladStop! is a family business, founded by Daniel and Adrien Desbaillets in 2009 and co-headed by daughter Katherine and son-in-law Frantz Braha. Daniel, a seasoned hotelier of more than 40 years, said: “I had full condense in the potential of this concept and my children, knowing that I would be able to invest my savings and see it ourish.”

Hera Capital’s Thierry de Panafieu added: “We are looking forward to partnering with Adrien, Katherine, Frantz and Daniel to help bring SaladStop! to greater heights across Asia and beyond. We love the SaladStop! brand and their excellent execution of the salad bar business model in their current markets. Macro-wise, Saladstop! benets from the rising auence of the middle class in Asia and increasing awareness towards healthy and sustainable eating. We believe that SaladStop! is well-positioned to embark on its international expansion in Asia.”

Deepak Shahdadpuri of DSG Consumer Partners said: “We are very excited to partner with the SaladStop! team to develop the brand and product across the region and around the world. It is also a privilege to work with Hera Capital who bring significant experience in scaling consumer business across Asia. There is a long-term trend towards healthy eating and nutrition; SaladStop! is ideally positioned to benet from this trend as consumers focus on what they eat and how this impacts their bodies and lifestyle. We believe the SaladStop! team have the best product oaring in the market today and, with the experience gained in Singapore and the Philippines, is now ready to take the products and brand regional.”