Sandwich Express: Franchise owner Julie Bailey sells Townsville business

The beloved owner of Sandwich Express and one of Townsville’s oldest food franchisers is putting away her breadknife for a final time.

‘Fast, Fresh and Friendly’ has long been the motto of successful Townsville business Sandwich Express, which serves different markets in Flinders St, Garbutt and Kirwan. Picture: Supplied

The beloved owner of Sandwich Express and one of Townsville’s oldest food franchisers is planning on putting away her breadknife for a final time.

Julie Bailey confirmed that she had sold the master franchise to the 23-year-old business in Flinders St, which in addition to two independently owned franchises were set to continue serving up healthy food options to a diverse client base spanning office workers to tradies.

Ms Bailey and former husband Peter who tragically succumbed to cancer four years ago opened their first takeaway restaurant in Northtown, where it continues to trade, in 2001, followed by the stores in Garbutt in 2008 and in Kirwan in 2013.

“We worked really well together the two of us and we complimented each other with our various skill sets so it was tough when he left,” she said.

“Plus I’m getting on, I’m in my late 60s now, so I just think it’s time.”

Julie Bailey has sold Sandwich Express and is looking forward to her next adventures – sort of. Picture: Supplied

Ms Bailey said new owner Matt Muller was a younger family man who had been enjoying Sandwich Express’s offerings since he was a kid.

“I’m really excited for Sandwich Express, our logo is ‘Fast, Fresh, Friendly’, you could say that you can put ‘Younger’ in there as well,” she laughed.

“He’s going to introduce a nice, fresh, young slant on the place and he obviously has some good ideas, backed up by his wife, and I’m excited for the franchisees because it will be really good for the business and therefore good for them.”

‘Fast, Fresh and Friendly’ has long been the motto of successful Townsville business Sandwich Express, which serves different markets in Flinders St, Garbutt and Kirwan. Picture: Supplied

Ms Bailey reassured existing customers that the core business of freshly prepared sandwiches, rolls, wraps and salads would remain.

She said despite the constant modernisation of the stores and evolution of the menu, some things had never changed, including its popular “core 20 sandwiches”.

“We’ve been making the same egg and lettuce for the last 23 years and that’s my go to if I go to one of the stores, I still always make myself an egg sandwich, it’s beautiful,” she said.

“Or the roast beef, cheese and chutney … I think the most important thing with a business like ours is to stick to your core and then you can try little different things just to see or test the market.”

Sandwich Express franchisers Julie Bailey and late husband Peter who lost a brave battle against cancer about four years ago. Picture: Supplied

Julie and Peter in 2013. Picture: Fiona Harding

The mother-of-two said she was looking forward to spending more time with your three grandchildren in Townsville and Canberra but her comments belied an impending sense of separation anxiety.

“I’m working with Matt for as long as he needs me but it’s going to be difficult for me because it’s been my life for so long,” she said.

“I think I’m going to find it hard to totally let go but I am pleased I am handing it on to someone like (Mr Muller); he’s going to be really great for the business.”

Originally published as Sandwich Express: Franchise owner Julie Bailey sells Townsville business