Oliver’s boosts employment, options

Acompany working to change the face of traditional ‘fast food’ in Australia will create between 15 and 20 jobs in Horsham.

Oliver’s Real Food, the world’s first certified organic fast-food outlet, will open a branch in the former Red Rooster building in Dimboola Road at 8am tomorrow.

Horsham mayor Pam Clarke, who will be a special guest at the opening, said she welcomed the new endeavour.

“To have a business come here and create jobs is wonderful for Horsham,” she said.

“It is great to have another alternative for people, especially for people looking for healthy food options. It is also great that Oliver’s has taken over the old Red Rooster building, which has been an eyesore at one of the entrances to town for quite some time.”

Red Rooster closed its Horsham outlet at 43 Dimboola Road in March 2012 and the building has been vacant ever since.

Oliver’s Real Food founder and chief executive Jason Gunn said the company’s Horsham store would be one of 12 in Victoria.

The business is rolling out stores on highways along Australia’s eastern seaboard, targeting travellers and residents looking for healthy options.

“People want a better choice of food than the unhealthy fast foods currently available,” Mr Gunn said.

“The hunger for quick, healthy takeaway food is increasing.”

Mr Gunn started Oliver’s Real Food in 2008 after becoming fed-up with trying to find healthy alternatives to burgers and fries during his daily commute.

He said he wanted his business to change the face of traditional ‘pit stop’ fast-food outlets in Australia and to help combat the country’s rising rate of obesity.

Mr Gunn said the number of obese people in Australia had doubled in the past 20 yeas, which had been attributed to poor eating habits in Australia, consumption of too much junk food and an increasingly sedentary lifestyle.

“Oliver’s is a healthy fast-food chain like no other,” Mr Gunn said.

“We offer an abundance of nutrientrich food. Wherever possible we use organically grown produce, so you feel full of life and energy.

“We offer our customers peace of mind knowing our food is free of additives, preservatives and artificial ingredients.”

Oliver’s Real Food offers a variety of options, including salads, sushi, sandwiches and smoothies.

“Or, you can try a serve of Oliver’s steamed beans with Himalayan rock salt – the healthy alternative to fries,” Mr Gunn said.

He said Oliver’s sourced its coffee from an alliance of villages in the mountains of South America, which relied on companies such as Mr Gunn’s for their livelihood.

“Every decision we make is based on how much good we are doing in the world,” he said.

“We call it ‘feed your good’ and if we all do what we can, the world will soon become a much better and healthier place.”

Mr Gunn will host a staff welcome event at 5pm tonight ahead of tomorrow’s official opening.