Queensland-based cafe chain, Raw Energy is looking to open another 24 outlets within the next five years, bringing its total number of sites to 30.
The figure will include the company’s original, fully fledged cafe model, as well as its new concept, Raw2Go.
“After the success of our first Raw2Go concept store in Mooloolaba we’ll also be expanding through this lower-cost franchise model in areas where there is strong demand for a healthy take-away offering, such as in Cairns,” said Raw Energy’s managing director, Matt Hope.
The focus will be on opening new sites across key regional areas in Queensland, as well as entering the New South Wales market.
“Firstly, we will continue our focus on expansion in coastal locations across the eastern seaboard because they fit perfectly with the Raw Energy brand and philosophy but we’ve earmarked a number of regional and inland areas with plenty of market potential also,” Hope explained.
“We’re actually opening our first regional franchise in Toowoomba in December and our first Brisbane cafe will open early next year.”
He believes the time is right for expansion, given the growing popularity of healthy fast food among Australians.
“Over the past five years the popularity and custom at our cafes has grown significantly and while in the past I put our success down to fitting a coastal way of life, I now see that it is actually in line with a greater market shift towards healthier eating and living.
“I am now confident regional and metro city areas will also embrace the concept,” Hope added.
Sites will include new dcor that reflects the fresh, healthy food offering, and there will be a focus on menu innovation.
“All new cafes will also display a revitalised brand experience, with our new fit-outs evoking an organic and fresh feel that will be very competitive in the market.”
Hope, who is also the master franchisee of G.J. Gardner Homes NSW/ACT business and the Total Fitouts franchise, said the brand is also eyeing international markets.
“We’re actively recruiting master franchisee to help us grow the brand domestically, which is where our current focus is, but we believe the franchise offering also has plenty of potential in overseas markets like New Zealand, United States of America and Canada.”
Raw Energy’s existing cafes, which operate across the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast regions, have an annual turnover of $6,300,000.