Ethical food chain Friska to open its first outlet in Birmingham
INDEPENDENT food chain Friska, which has won awards for its ethical approach, is to open an outlet in Birmingham
The company plans to open its latest eatery in a 1,700 sq ft unit spread across the ground floor and mezzanine of the 13-storey Eleven Brindleyplace building in February.
Its initial plans are to employ a team of six including a kitchen manager and store manager.
The company, which was founded in 2009, is the brainchild of Griff Holland and Ed Brown, and now operates at six sites across Bristol, with plans to expand nationwide over the next five years.
Holland said: “We’re really excited to be opening our first store outside Bristol and Birmingham was the obvious destination. Brindleyplace is a thriving business location, with a vibrant social scene around its central square.
“All we thought was missing was a friendly, fresh and delicious place that people could really call their “local” for breakfast, lunch and great specialty coffee – that’s where we come in.
“We’re focused on continuing our successful growth in 2016 and are confident that Brindleyplace will be the first of many Friskas in Birmingham.”
Jonathan Lawes, director at Cube Real Estate, the asset manager of Eleven Brindleyplace, said: “Friska is a thoroughly modern business with exciting plans to take its unique brand of food and beverages across the country and we’re pleased to see it come to Birmingham.”
In 2014, Friska was named Observer Food Monthly’s Best Ethical Restaurant, and was runner up in the Guardian’s Sustainable Business Award.
It uses 100% renewable energy and sends zero waste to landfill.
Friska has signed a five-year lease at Eleven Brindleyplace. It was represented by Hartnell Taylor Cook. Bilfinger GVA acted on behalf of the landlord.
