Adelaide-born Vietnamese street food brand, Soonta, is celebrating 18 years in business with major expansion plans underway, including a brand-new store in Brighton, its first-ever Western Australian location, and several new venues across the country.
What simply started as a single location on Waymouth Street back in 2008 has grown into one of Australia’s most exciting fast-casual success stories. “Over nearly two decades, the brand successfully transitioned from a local Adelaide secret into a major player in the quick-service industry by championing its ‘Eat. Love. Food.’ philosophy and scaling its healthy Vietnamese street food concept across South Australia, Queensland, and Victoria,” shared the Soonta Marketing team.
Soonta Brighton
For South Aussies, the latest milestone arrived on April 17th, when Soonta officially opened its newest store in Brighton, bringing its signature flavours to Adelaide’s coastline.
The Brighton opening is all part of the next era for the local brand, which has transformed from a tiny city shop into a thriving national franchise with more than 18 locations across Australia. And it’s only just getting started.
Soonta Brighton
This June, Soonta is heading west with its first Western Australian store, officially taking the brand coast to coast. Closer to home, a new location at the Royal Adelaide Hospital has also opened its doors, following a soft launch at the end of April.
Additional stores are currently in development across Melbourne and Brisbane, with the company aiming to add another three to five locations before the end of the year.
“We expect to add a further 3 to 5 stores this year,” they shared. “Our focus is on securing the right sites, working with the right partners, and ensuring each new location opens with strong operational foundations. We are taking a measured but ambitious approach as we continue building Soonta’s national footprint.”
As Australians increasingly seek healthier grab-and-go options, Soonta has carved out a niche with its Vietnamese-inspired menu, offering everything from crispy roast pork bánh mì to fresh vermicelli bun bowls and hearty rice bowls.
The roast pork bánh mì remains a standout favourite, combining crackling, meat and bold flavours. The bun bowl is another favourite, continuing to attract loyal fans looking for something light, fresh and satisfying.
Beyond the food, Soonta has built a reputation for strong franchise support and a business model designed for long-term success.
In recent years, Soonta has earned significant recognition, including accolades at the 2024 QSR Media Australia Awards. In 2025, the brand was also named a dual finalist at the Franchise Industry Awards for Franchisor of the Year and Franchise Innovation of the Year.
With the systems, experience and franchise model now firmly established, the business is well-positioned to continue its rapid growth. But while the footprint is expanding, the focus remains firmly on quality.
“The next phase for Soonta is focused on continued expansion, strengthening our national footprint, and continuing to improve the customer experience across all stores. That includes new locations, ongoing menu development, store design evolution, and stronger digital engagement with customers through our app and loyalty platform. More broadly, we see significant opportunity for Soonta to keep growing as one of Australia’s leading fresh fast-casual brands.”
So from Waymouth Street to Western Australia, Soonta’s rise has been built on community, consistency, and seriously good food.
With new stores opening, new markets launching, and plenty more growth on the cards, this Adelaide favourite is proving that big things really can come from humble beginnings.
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