Milkshake bars concept set for roll-out

THE entrepreneurial couple behind the Boost Juice Bar chain has receieved further backing from Business Growth Fund to roll-out a new milkshake concept.

Cheshire-based Richard and Dawn O’Sullivan, owners of TD4 Brands, now have 32 Boost bars in high footfall locations nationwide such as the Trafford Centre.  In December they launched The Shake Lab, also in the Trafford Centre, and now plan to open at another seven sites this year.

TD4 Brands is on course to achieve sales in excess of £13m this year, up from £5m in 2013 when BGF first invested in the business.

The company now employs nearly 400 people. TD4 Brands was launched in 2007 after the O’Sullivans discovered the Boost Juice concept during a break in Australia after the sale of Millies Cookies to catering giant Compass.

 They negotiated a deal with Boost founder Janine Allis to launch it in the UK. Boost now has a franchise network of more than 400 stores worldwide. Manchester’s Trafford Centre remains home to the busiest Boost Juice Bar globally.

In the next phase of growth, the business plans to open up to eight stores this year. To support their plans, BGF has increased its investment in TD4 Brands to £4.9m.

Founder and chief executive Richard O’Sullivan, said: “Three years on from their original investment, we are really pleased that BGF shows continued support and confidence in the successful expansion of our company. It’s a great example of both the business and the investors delivering on their promises.”

Neil Inskip, a member of BGF’s Manchester team, who sits on the board of TD4 Brands said: “Richard and Dawn demonstrate incredible leadership, sound judgement and ambition for the growth of the business. That is something we are keen to support and we are delighted that the additional funding will help accelerate the growth of the business even further.”