Melbourne’s Spudbar taking another bite at the Western Australian market

Baked potato franchise Spudbar is having a second bite at expanding beyond its Victorian base, after two stores previously closed in Western Australia.

In its hometown of Melbourne, the baked potato chain has grown to 11 stores since its initial launch in 2000.

This growth had previously led to Spudbar opening two company-owned stores in Western Australia in a bid to expand its brand, with outlets in the Perth suburbs of Cannington and Joondalup.

However, both stores eventually closed, with the first going out of business 18 months ago, and the second closing in January of this year.

Despite the closures, the company is planning to embark on a second round of national expansion.

SmartCompany understands the company is working with a franchisee in Western Australia ahead of a future store opening.

In addition to the Perth-based store, the company is also advertising franchise opportunities in Canberra, Hobart, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin, the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Sydney.

According to the advertisements, an investment of between $230,000 and $290,000 will be required to open each store.

The chain is one of a number of rapidly expanding Melbourne-based fast food retailers in Australia, including Noodle Box and Roll’d.

However, there are clear risks to the national expansion of a fast food franchise.

Back in 2010, fast food chain Souvlaki Hut collapsed into administration just 10 months after being named one of Australia’s fastest growing franchises.

SmartCompany attempted to contact Spudbar, however, no official comment was available prior to publication.

This article first appeared on SmartCompany.