3 minute read
ROLLING OUT THE PASSION
Two amazing milestones are making Roll’d a talking point in fast food.
The idea of Roll’d came about through conversations at home between founder Bao Hoang and his wife, Angela. Bao says “We always wanted to share my Mum’s food. All Vietnamese kids think that their Mum’s food is the best. But my siblings and I knew our mum's food really was the best because other Vietnamese mum’s would ask Mum to cook for their parties!”
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In less than 10 years (the business was founded in 2012) Roll’d has spread its love of healthy Vietnamese food around Australia and it’s still growing.
In fact, the chain in March 2021 hit two significant goals with the opening up of its latest retail venture. The new Moonee Ponds store is both the 100th outlet for the healthy eating chain and its first ‘store within a store’ at a Coles supermarket.
Characterised by its historic homes, lush parklands and significant development, Moonee Ponds continues to be a thriving family-oriented suburb in Melbourne’s inner north-west.
And with the nearest Roll’d outlet 10km away, the new concession is viewed as an important step to expanding the consumer base.
The exciting new development with the supermarket chain marks the start of a new partnership with Coles and gives shoppers in Moonee Ponds the full Roll’d menu of packaged grab and-go meals, Roll’d Iced Peach and Iced Lemon Teas and Vietnamese Iced Coffee to choose from.
Founder and CEO Bao Hoang says so much has changed since the business started out.
“Ten years ago sushi was one of the only perceived fast and healthy meal options in the CBD environment. We started in the Melbourne CBD. We made a lot of mistakes and were always adapting. Right now, we are in the best shape we have ever been.
“We will most likely open in New Zealand next year and we have got an aggressive international agenda coming up.
“Local and international growth is very much a cornerstone of the Roll’d brand in 2021. We believe that we will get close to 150 stores, close to mid-2022.”
It’s already been an exciting 18 months for the Vietnamese eatery. Early in 2020, Roll’d embarked on new delivery methods and innovations such as the Roll’d Runner and the Roll’d Meal Box.
“We’ve picked up a lot of business through the lunch market as we offer a quick, light and healthy meal. Currently we are expanding our offering to include rice, which is increasing our dinner offering and reaching more Australians,” Hoang explained.
“Vietnamese food is an inherently healthy cuisine. I think that fresh, healthy and convenient food options are the way of the future. In light of this, we created simple Roll’d menu inclusions that are having a dramatic impact on our business.”
*Read more about healthy eating on page 48.
ROLL’D SNAPSHOT
• It costs between $400,000 and $500,000 to buy a Roll’d franchise. • The business was established in 2012. • There are 100+ outlets across
Australia. • Training is an eight week program, then ongoing. • The food is inspired by co-founders
Bao and Tin’s hard-working mothers
Mama Hoang and Mama Ly.
WHO ARE THE FOUNDERS?
BAO HOANG. As a former franchisee in a non-food business, Bao understands the franchisee perspective. TIN LY grew up working in his family’s Vietnamese bakery and brought their speciality Bánh Mì to Roll’d.
RAY ESQUIERES is a former banking executive with JP Morgan and ANZ.
COLES CONCEPT
The brand new concept concession store is located in a supermarket designed to set a new standard in sustainability.
The supermarket chain has a commitment for the entire Coles Group to be powered by 100 per cent renewable electricity by the end of the financial year of 2025, and to have net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
