Acquisition feeds national growth plans for natural foods business
Southport-based plant-based food products brand, Wild Root, has revealed plans to significantly expand the business over the next six years through the creation of a 25-site portfolio around the UK.
It aims to open a string of own-brand cafés, bolstered by investment in a North Liverpool fermented foods and drinks business.
Wild Root has taken an 85% stake in The Fermentation Station which has six core products that it produces and ferments all year round.
Founded by CEO Charlie Tomlinson in 2021, Wild Root said its Southport café has already become one of the North West’s go-to places for plant-eaters and the health-conscious community.
With estimates of more than 2.5 million people in the UK now classifying themselves as vegan – an increase of 1.1 million from January 2023 to January 2024 – Wild Root is focused on delivering a premium service for those seeking a plant-based diet.
Its strategic acquisition will give Wild Root a wider customer base across the region.
A planned refurbishment and expansion will see the Wild Root Café in Southport house The Fermentation Station and stock more than 30 fermented products.
With a new manager, Lucie Brisland, recently appointed at Wild Root Café, Wild Root said it is committed to providing the best vegan food at its restaurants. Charlie Tomlinson is focused on avoiding any ultra-processed meat or dairy substitutes by putting vegetables in the centre of each plate.
Tomlinson, who has just been offered a guest lecturing spot with Southport Catering College, is a skilled chef driven to bring plant-based eating back to plants. She said: “The acquisition of The Fermentation Station is massively exciting for us.
“Its range of products are packed with good bacteria and never pasteurised, so exceptionally beneficial for gut health which is something we are passionate about at Wild Root.”
She added: “We want people to eat more plants and feel good whilst doing it – all the food we make not only tastes good but makes you feel great, too. This is exactly what The Fermentation Station’s products do – so we are a perfect match.”
Wild Root’s aim is to scale up to 25 Wild Root cafés across the UK by 2030. The company is also set to establish a whole foods store, shaping it as a cooperative business and a community project to bolster the purchasing capabilities of Wild Root and The Fermentation Station.
