Sumo Salad was an Australian salad bar founded in 2003 on Liverpool Street, Sydney, by Luke Baylis and James Miller.
Initially, Baylis and Miller hired friends and family to develop the business, including a trainer and marketer.[1] In its first decade, Sumo Salad grew through franchising to reach 100 stores and expanded internationally with 9 stores in New Zealand, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and Brazil.[2]
From 2013 to 2015, Sumo Salad partnered with Paleo diet advocate Pete Evans.[3]
In October 2015, co-founder James Miller was found dead by his flatmate, Nasser Elkordi, in their Elizabeth Bay, Sydney home.[4] His death was believed to be caused by an unintentional drug overdose.[5]
On 18 July 2018, Sumo Salad went into administration. A key reason given for its move was “legacy debts”, thought to relate to crippling rents the chain has been lumbered with at Westfield shopping centres.[6]
On 7 March 2022, Sumo Salad was again placed into voluntary administration. As of 2025, there is no public evidence that the chain has been revived or reopened significant numbers of stores.[7]
See also
External links
References
- Michelle Hammond. 'We were laughed out of the room': How SumoSalad took on fast food and won StartupSmart, Private Media Pty Ltd, 5 April 2013^
- Mens Health Staff. How SumoSalad Founder, Luke Baylis Built A $80 Million A Year Business Australian Mens Health Staff, May 2021, retrieved 16 December 2021^
- Marissa Calligeros. Paleo advocate Pete Evans dumped as Sumo Salad ambassador Fairfax Media, 3 April 2015^
- Sarah Stowe. Sumo Salad co-founder James Miller dead at 38 Franchise Business, 28 October 2015^
- Lisa Davies, Rachel Olding. Dead at 38: publican lived in the 'fast lane' Good Food, 2013-01-14, retrieved 2025-11-18^
- Benedict Brook. Sumo Salad's struggles: Healthy eating chain enters administration amid search for a saviour news.com.au, 1 August 2018, retrieved 2023-06-21^
- Simon Jenkins. Sumo Salad placed in voluntary administration The Australian, 2022-03-07, retrieved 2025-12-08^