Griff Holland set up Friska in 2009 with fellow Bath University economics graduate Ed Brown. Although they have big plans for their Bristol-based takeaway with a difference, as Mark Williams finds out, profit is not their only goal
At just 28, Griff Holland has already had a colourful life. The Bristol-based 28-year-old businessman started life in Sao Paolo, Brazil. “My dad’s English ― he was working there as a teacher. Mum’s Brazilian ― she’s also a teacher. We moved to Bracknell in Berkshire when I was six and later to Wokingham,” he explains.
Even as a child, Griff could spot a business opportunity. “For my seventh birthday party mum made a delicious chocolate cake ― all the kids loved it. The following week, I took pre-orders and got mum to make three more and I sold pieces to kids in the neighbourhood.”
He also had a social conscience. “At school they played a video showing the plight of Brazil’s street children, which had extra resonance with me, so I organised a bring-and-buy sale at school and we raised a lot of money for an orphanage in Brazil.”
Success on a plate
“We identified a gap in the market for a lunchtime takeaway that sold healthy, sustainably sourced, delicious food ― our strapline is ‘Feel Good Food’. Bristol has a vibrant food culture and we were confident local people would like what Friska was offering.
“We knew Bristol would be big enough for us to launch more outlets, so we could grow here first before looking further afield. We have now opened our second restaurant in the Bristol and Bath Science Park. We’ll be looking to raise investment on the back of that to grow the business to five units. We’ll then seek significant outside investment to grow Friska into a national chain ― that’s our ten-year plan.”
Friska world cuisine options are only made from fresh, seasonal, healthy and ethically reared/produced ingredients and its meats are free range. Griff adds: “We’re based in Bristol’s central business district, so we face a lot of competition, but offering something altogether different has fuelled our success. We’re a world away from your run of the mill sandwich shop ― we’ve challenged perceptions about fast food. And once people try us, they usually become loyal customers.”