Not the Next Amazon Go: Savi Provisions Sets Expansion Plan

Savi Provisions, a specialty grocer offering locally sourced organic foods, deli items, wines and spirits through its six locations in Atlanta, Ga., has ambitious plans for growth, with eight new locations opening this year in the greater Atlanta area and one in Nashville, Tenn.

 Founder Paul Nair opened the first Savi Provisions in early 2009 in Atlanta’s Inman Park neighborhood with the goal of building relationships with local farmers, vineyards and distilleries to serve the community. A desire to expand led Nair to open the Savi Provisions concept to franchisees, resulting in its rapid expansion.

WGB recently connected with Nair to learn more about his ambitious plans for the Savi Provisions franchise, new store openings and the competition.

Jennifer Strailey: What are the future goals of the Savi Franchise System? Do you anticipate opening stores across the U.S. or will you stay focused on the Southeast?

Paul Nair: We want to be the neighborhood destination within major cosmopolitan areas across the nation, and we are seeing expansion happen quickly through the franchise model. There are plenty of opportunities for growth within the U.S. and beyond.

Through this franchise model, we hope to continue to enhance local economies and influence buying decisions towards healthy, organic foods that pour back into the community. Ultimately, we hope to be a designated space for gourmet foods and excellent customer service in every major city throughout the nation.

What makes Savi Provisions’ mix of grocery, deli and wine a successful combination?

What makes Savi Provisions special is our dedication to locally sourced gourmet and organic foods, fine wines and spirits. This combination of quality offerings is what has ultimately led to the success and expansion of the concept. Our carefully curated wine and beer selection will have something exciting for everyone, from the novice to the expert; and our customers will always find some of the finest meat and cheeses in the area available. In addition to savory sandwiches, breakfast offerings, wraps and salads, customers can also expect to find gourmet sides and a long list of delicious, made-to-order options by our experts. 

Paul Nair

How does Savi connect convenience and community? What role does technology play in the convenience piece?

We have taken the culture’s demand for high-end, gourmet, organic foods and combined it with the need for convenience. The concept was created initially out of need and a realization that there was a sincere demand for an urban, friendly and convenient place that people could come to for food, groceries, and fun.

I spent time in New York City and realized that other markets needed what New York was so fortunate to have in virtually every part of the city: The neighborhood deli. These were places where people shopped, congregated, developed relationships and built upon community, and this need was how Savi Provisions was born. We take convenience a step further by offering online ordering for several of our locations and we partner with third parties to offer delivery of our gourmet foods locally.

Who do you see as your main competitor and what are you doing differently to appeal to consumers?

Oftentimes we get compared to Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s but we are something entirely different. We have significantly increased our focus on chef-driven, fresh-made meals. In addition to our gourmet offerings, the focused human touch and our push to add more locally grown and produced foods helps distinguish our groceries from a Whole Foods/Amazon combo or another convenient grocer.