Australian Chain Expands to Upper West Side

THISBOWL was founded in 2016 in Bondi Beach, Sydney, by college friends Nicolas Pestalozzi, Nathan Dalah, and Casper Ettelson, who aimed to create a healthier and more flavorful fast-food alternative. The chain, known as Fishbowl in Australia, has grown to over 50 locations across its home country. For its U.S. expansion, the founders rebranded to THISBOWL to avoid preconceived notions about the menu. The new Upper West Side location is the latest in a series of New York openings, which include spots in NoHo, NoMad, and near Rockefeller Center. The company's strategy focuses on owning and operating each location rather than franchising, a decision Co-founder Nathan Dalah says is to maintain focus on the food and customer experience over a financial model. The 1880 Broadway location sits at the base of 15 Central Park West, one of Manhattan's most exclusive residential buildings. The retail portion of the building is owned by Global Holdings and Madison Capital and also houses major national retailers such as JPMorgan Chase, West Elm, and Best Buy. With the addition of THISBOWL, the retail space in the building is now 95% leased. To manage its high-volume, customizable order flow, THISBOWL utilizes Square's technology for its point-of-sale and kitchen display systems (KDS). This partnership, which began with their first location in Australia, helps streamline orders from in-store and online, and provides real-time sales data and analytics. The brand is known for its "buzzy" atmosphere, often featuring loud electronic music and modern, sleek interiors designed to feel more like a fashion boutique than a typical fast-casual restaurant. Each New York location incorporates unique artistic elements, such as collaborations with artists for custom tapestries and hand-painted floors.