SaladStop! eschewed venture funding in its early years

It was partly to retain autonomy and control over the business' growth trajectory, says managing director Adrien Desbaillets.

Published Tue, Feb 23, 2021 · 05:50 AM

Singapore SMEs

SaladStop! is now headed for Series B fund raising as it seeks to expand from 65 outlets in the region to 300, but the family-owned food chain had eschewed external funding in its early days.

It was partly to retain autonomy and control over the business' growth trajectory.

"We valued autonomy at the early stages and it paid off because we were able to make foundational decisions that have served us well," said managing director Adrien Desbaillets, who started SaladStop! with his father in 2009.

"When you bring in external capital, it may push you to expand in certain directions that don't necessarily build the right foundations for the business," he added.

Also, valuations of food and beverage (F&B) companies were low then, as food businesses were largely seen as having few …