SmartCompany50 rank: 16
Revenue: $14.2 million
Growth: 72%
Founders: Luke Baylis, 29 James Miller 32
Based: Sydney
Employees: 10
Industry: Accommodation, cafes and restaurants
Website: www.sumosalad.com
The desire to eat healthy food has spawned another start-up in Australia. In 2003, Luke Baylis, 25 and James Miller, 28 saw there was a gap in the market for healthy and delicious fast food and started SumoSalad from the kitchen table.
Lacking a marketing budget and being in a fiercely competitive industry did not deter them, and by a year they had passed the $1 million revenue milestone.
The pair are planning further expansion across Australia and are excited about British expansion where a master franchise operation has bought the rights to open 150 stores over the next few years. SumoSalad has 28 franchisees and more than 95% are profitable, Baylis says.
The trend for healthy eating is showing no signs of decline. “Australians are even more aware of the need to improve their diets, which is allowing us to be more creative, appeal to a wider audience and increase the number of outlets,” Baylis says.
