Vital ingredient

Vital Ingredient is a UK company which operates a chain of made-to-order salad and soup bars in London, mainly based in the City and around Soho.

Vital Ingredient
TypePrivate[1]
IndustryRetail outlets
Founded2001
HeadquartersSoho, London, United Kingdom
7 Carlisle St, London W1D 3BW
Key people
ProductsSalads, Soups, Juices, Smoothies and Breakfast
Websitehttp://vitalingredient.co.uk

History

The company was founded by Alex Heynes, with the first Vital Ingredient store opening in Soho in 2001. It expanded to 5 stores by 2008.[2]

From 2011 to 2015 the company tripled its number of outlets after the company took on some equity investment from property entrepreneur Paul Oberschneider and in 2015 opened its 17th outlet on Artillery Row in Victoria. In early 2015 Paolo Peretti was appointed managing director with 2015 being a record year for both sales and profit.[3]

In 2011 Vital Ingredient secured £2.75 million in funding from Santander Corporate & Commercial’s Breakthrough programme.[4] The company's annual turnover has since doubled to £12 million. [5]

In April 2016 the chain underwent a £12m management buyout led by Alex Heynes, which was backed by private equity house LDC. The chain also secured £4 million in growth capital from Santander as they look to grow to over 40 stores.

Vital Ingredient primarily markets its own range of tossed salads and soups made on site. Juices, smoothies and hot breakfasts are also included on the menu. Each store utilises an American style counter service format to assemble meal orders from individual ingredients within view of the customers. The company claims their packaging is 100% recycled or recyclable.

References
  1. wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk Details of the Vital Ingredient incorporation and current head office can be found at Companies House.
  2. Food Service Europe, November 13, 2008
  3. Growth Business London, April 27, 2016
  4. B4 Network Oxfordshire, March 04, 2013
  5. London Loves Business, June 02, 2013
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