A ‘uni dropout’ turned business empire founder has shared how one of Australia’s most popular healthy eateries became so successful and why he’s bringing it to the Coast.
It’s been about two years in the making but the eatery is set to open in Maroochydore and Noosa, with its owner saying “it’s better late than never”.
Offering fresh salad bowls inspired by Asian cuisine, the fast-food chain Fishbowl now boasts 34 stores across New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland.
The brains behind the business is Sydney’s Nathan Dalah, who said its success was also owed to his mates and co-founders Nic Pestalozzi and Casper Ettelson.
“Pursuing the business idea was basically a way to get out of uni,” the 30-year-old said.
“I was 23 and studying law and commerce at University of Technology Sydney when it dawned on me how much quick, accessible and affordable healthy food options were lacking around me.
“Then I thought of Fishbowl. We wanted to make a product that was good for you, tasted great, had a relatable brand and was obviously quick and accessible.”
To pay for the first store in Bondi, he used $100,000 saved from his “side hustle” business, Boat Boys, where he cleaned boats along Sydney Harbour.
“It also helped to finance a bit of other travelling in my early 20s and exposed me to a lot of great food concepts in Europe and the United States,” he said.
“I combined what I learnt from travelling with my passion for healthy food and Asian cuisine, and Fishbowl was born.”
In about a month’s time, the Coast’s first Fishbowl will open in the Sunshine Plaza, with another store planned for Hastings Street in Noosa for later this year or early next year.
“We opened in Bondi because we identified that people were really discerning. They valued health and wellbeing, the quality of what they were consuming and the downstream effect of what they were consuming,” Mr Dahal said.
“We looked at the Sunshine Coast in general, and at Maroochydore and Noosa as two markets where those values held strong, but they were really under-serviced.
“It’s a health-focused community – they know what good food and produce is. I think there’s a huge market there for a brand like us to establish an authentic connection with.”
Since the fit-out began he said the team has had hundreds of inquiries as to when it would open.
“We’ve previously had hundreds of inquiries to open there before too, that’s what led us to the Plaza,” he said.
“It’s very exciting and fun for us … it’s another opportunity to connect and share our product with Sunshine Coast community.”
He said while Fishbowl was not a franchise, it received more franchise inquiries “than probably nearly anyone in Australia that advertises as a franchise”.
“We would rather establish that connection ourselves,” he said.
“We all work in the stores. If you come to the Plaza store, I will be there making salads and that’s something we will never change.
“We love serving people … we will never plonk a store in a market and just expect it to work. We really put our backs into it.
“We are about health, personality, design, uses and real connection. Those values are authentic to us and Fishbowl stores are an extension of our values. That’s something you cant just whip up in a business model.”
He said the Maroochydore store would be keeping up with Fishbowl’s most recent fit-outs.
“It’s minimal but playful,” Mr Dahal said.
“We utilised a lot of recycled Australian timbers and people can expect clean lines with a pop of colour. I’d describe it as a timeless and clean store.
“We are looking to set up a team and a gun manager in the Maroochydore store who are locals. We are looking for staff with all experience levels.
“Email jobs@fishbowl.com.au if you are interested.”
He revealed there was another five Fishbowl stores already under construction and another 10 stores scheduled to open between now and October around Australia.
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