SALADSTOP!, THE LEADING SALAD BAR CHAIN IN ASIA, RAISES S$5 MILLION FROM HERA CAPITAL AND DSG CONSUMER PARTNERS

SINGAPORE, Sept. 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- SaladStop!, Singapore's leading chain of salad bars, has raised S$5 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 offering salads, wraps, grain bowls and more. Growing from its home market, SaladStop! currently operates 15 outlets in Singapore and 8 in the Philippines, with 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 a new way to supporting local farmers committed to positive change.

The company's first round of funding will be heavily focused on growing its footprint in Singapore, investing into 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 fulfill both purpose and profit." 

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 over 40 years, said, "I had full confidence in the potential of this concept and my children, knowing that I would be able to invest my savings and see it flourish."

Hera Capital's Thierry de Panafieu said, "We are looking forward to partner 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! benefits from the rising affluence 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 added, "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 brings significant experience in scaling consumer business across Asia. There is a long term trend towards healthy eating and nutrition; SaladStop! is ideally positioned to benefit from this trend as consumers focus on what they eat and how this impacts their bodies and lifestyle. We believe the SaladStop! team has the best product offering in the market today and with the experience gained in Singapore and Philippines is now ready to take the products and brand regional."

About SaladStop!

Since 2009, SaladStop! has ventured into the food scene as a revolutionary movement towards health and well-being. The motto EAT WIDE AWAKE, wants people to be more knowledgeable about the food they eat. With a vision to become the world's leading nutrition, health and wellness company, SaladStop! is pioneering a food movement that believes in the basic human right to truly eat well.

For more information, please visit www.saladstop.com.sg

About Hera Capital

Hera Capital is a private equity firm investing in fast-growing SMEs in the consumer retail, media and digital sectors. The firm has a focus on the South-East Asian region and typically invests US$1m to US$10m per company. Hera Capital has an entrepreneur-focused proposition, providing high-touch support to its portfolio companies and supporting them in scaling up their business as well as expanding into overseas markets. Hera Capital has invested into high growth firms including Sophie Paris, Bel Perfumes, ActSocial, The Stakeholder Company, Creme Simon, Reworld Media, CashCashPinoy, Bomanbridge Media, Linkfluence and My Social Book.

About DSG Consumer Partners

DSG Consumer Partners (DSGCP) is a venture capital fund focused on identifying, selecting and investing exclusively in early stage consumer businesses in India and South East Asia. DSGCP will primarily take minority equity positions in unlisted companies but will consider control deals with the right management team. The founders have built a track record of investing for the long term and leading brands funded and backed by the founders since 2004 include Sula Wines, Saffronart, Cleartrip, Redmart, Bakers Circle, Veeba Food, Social, Smoke House Deli, OYO Rooms (part exit to Softbank), Zipdial (sold to Twitter), Furtados School of Music, Mswipe, Saraf Foods, Chope, Burger King India, Chai Point, Suzette, India Lends, GOQii, Raw Pressery, Ramblin' Brands and Eazydiner.

CONTACT :
Adrien Desbaillets
Director
+65 92976250
[email protected]