Cafe business Primal Pantry has recently entered the world of franchising, teaming up with food franchise group Aktiv Brands to open two new outlets in two months.

Toowoomba received the first of Primal Pantry’s franchised stores in November, meanwhile the second, which opened its doors on 2 December, is situated in the Nundah Village dining precinct in Brisbane.

According to Ian Cunnigham, the brand and marketing director at Aktiv Brands continued expansion through franchising is on the cards.  

“The initial growth of franchises has deliberately targeted south-east Queensland to enable us to hone our systems and processes, however the next wave of Primal Pantry franchises will be further afield up and down Australia’s eastern seaboard,” he said.

While there has been interest in the brand from both within Australia and overseas, there are plans to grow the brand at a steady rate.

“Our challenge is not expansion per se, it is controlling the rate of expansion ensuring that both the high calibre of franchise candidates and high food and service standards are maintained to preserve the brand’s integrity,” said Cunningham.

Primal Pantry serves up food and beverages that operate in line with the paleo diet, which sees people avoid dairy, grains, and processed sugars and instead opt for foods that are rich in protein, un-refined carbohydrates and healthy fats including meat, fish, eggs and vegetables.

“The Primal Pantry success is not about trying to be popular, the concept has been embraced because the food that we serve and the groceries that we provide are what people are craving and often go out of their way to find,” said founder Mark Rockley. 

“At Primal Pantry, people don’t need to compromise on taste and flavour to eat well.”