Tossed, the healthier eating place, is seeking to raise £750,000 on equity crowdfunding platform Seedrs as it offers its guests and fans a first opportunity to share in its success. Calling on them “to put their money where their mouth is”, it is looking to roll out its healthier eating message to a wider audience.
The business has already secured 24 sites, including six motorway service stations and three in Dubai, and is looking to expand into more locations soon. Its shops include key West End and London City locations, such as Covent Garden, Liverpool St and Baker St, and it also operates in both Westfield shopping centres and Bluewater in Kent. The brand already employs over 250 people, and its sales grew over 30% in its last financial year.
Tossed will use the funds raised through the new issue of ordinary shares to accelerate its store opening programme, targeting high street, retail and motorway locations in London and the South East, whilst it continues to seek to expand internationally. It has brand partners who offer access to sites in airports, railway stations and the motorway network of the UK, and its partner in Dubai has secured three locations this year, including one the Palm Jumeirah and another in the Airport Freezone.
Founded by Vincent Mckevitt, Tossed opened its first store in Paddington in 2005. Mckevitt said “There is something very exciting about inviting existing guests, and guests of the future, to actually be part of our growth story. We believe there is a place for a healthy food operator amongst the big players in the food industry, and that Tossed should be that challenger brand. By increasing store numbers, we will reach a wider market and offer a healthy choice to more people. We’d love for you to be a part of that journey.”
Rod McKie, CEO of Welcome Break which operates Tossed in motorway service stations, said “Tossed was the missing piece of our jigsaw, to have a really great brand that delivers healthy fresh food. Bearing in mind we have an 80m footfall, a lot more people are going to get to know about it.”
In May 2013, the business secured £1.5m funding from Santander, who remain supportive of the business and its growth plans. Neil Sebba, who joined as Finance Director in 2010 when the business had just four stores, said “we are a well-funded business with an established head office team who are excited to invite a wider audience to participate. I believe this is a fantastic opportunity to be part of something that is going to be very special.”
Investments will be made through Seedrs, the largest crowdfunding platform in Europe that focuses solely on equity investments. Investors can invest as little as £12.33 for one ordinary, voting share, and the following perks are available:
- 20% off each purchase for 1 year for £200 or more
- 50% off each purchase for 1 year for £2,500 or more
- 50% off each purchase for life for £5,000 or more (for life of the investment)
Jeff Lynn, CEO and Co-Founder of Seedrs, said: “Tossed is widely admired for its vibrant, eye-catching stores and healthy food and beverage offer. We are delighted to be hosting the campaign, and we’re excited to see their guests, fans and partners jump on board to be a part of their exciting growth plans.”
Potential investors can find more information about the campaign at www.seedrs.com/tossed
