A dynamic Worcestershire duo are preparing to beef up their burger business, after moving to larger premises to aid their ambitious expansion plans.
Muddy Boots Foods, which was launched in 2008, is owned by husband and wife team Roland and Miranda Ballard. The Ballards decided to move from London and swap their high-flying media careers in the big smoke for the big grill to make gourmet burgers, which are already a hit with major supermarkets and restaurants.
The couple have recently signed a three-year lease for Unit 1, Hope House Farm, which was marketed by agents Halls Commercial. Located in the rural hamlet of Martley, near Malvern, Worcestershire, the company’s sales, marketing, finance and logistics departments will operate from the site.
Miranda said: “We set up the business three years ago from a converted barn on my father-in-law’s farm. While we loved the rural location, we were at the point where we needed more professional premises so we could expand our business and employ more people.
“We chose Hope House Farm because it is the perfect location for us to grow. We aim to triple the size of the company in the next twelve months. We already employ an office manager but could potentially hire six or seven more people over the next three years.
“The production of the burgers is outsourced to a Ludlow-based company, which is within easy reach of our Martley headquarters. The rural surroundings also means that we haven’t lost touch with our farming roots.”
Charlotte Fullard, senior surveyor at Worcester-based Halls Commercial, said: “Hope House Farm provides Muddy Boots Foods with enough space to accommodate its ambitious, but achievable, expansions plans. We hope the products’ popularity continues to grow.”
Muddy Boots Foods products are stocked in 40 Waitrose stores, Budgens, Midcounties Co-Operative food stores, Ocado and some independent retailers. They also supply burgers and 21-day matured steaks to restaurants, as well as selling their products online via www.muddybootsfoodhall.co.uk. For more information about the company, visit www.muddybootsfoods.co.uk.
Halls Commercial provides specialist commercial property services to a wide range of clients throughout the Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire and wider Midlands region.