Food Studio opens Primo and Smashy at Independence Arcade Square

Food Studio has expanded its footprint with the opening of Primo and Smashy at Arcade Independence Square, marking an important step in the company’s growth strategy as it takes two of its strongest concepts beyond traditional mall spaces. 

The launch marks Primo’s fourth location and Smashy’s first move outside a mall environment, reflecting a broader shift towards standalone, high-potential lifestyle destinations.

Naveed Cader, Managing Director of Food Studio and Group CEO of Liberty Lands & Developments, said, “Food Studio’s expansion beyond traditional mall spaces reflects the direction in which Liberty Lands is evolving as a group. As we sharpen our focus across key growth sectors including cinemas, food and beverage, hospitality, and selected real estate ventures, we see strong long-term potential in building quality Sri Lankan brands that resonate with today’s consumer.” 

Nadeem Rajabdeen, CEO of Food Studio, also added, “We began as a food court operator, but over time it became clear that the bigger opportunity was to build our own brands with strong identity, quality and long-term potential. Moving into standalone locations is part of that evolution, allowing us to make Primo and Smashy more visible, more accessible and ultimately more scalable as Sri Lankan-born concepts.”

Jesse Aston, Culinary Director of Food Studio, stated, “We’ve built Primo and Smashy around fresh, high-quality food that is both distinctive and accessible. From localised flavours at Primo to Smashy’s simple, freshly made burgers, everything is prepared in-house with quality and value in mind, and we’re excited to bring that experience to a vibrant location like Arcade Independence Square.”

Looking ahead, Food Studio plans to continue expanding its footprint both within Sri Lanka and internationally, furthering its ambition to grow distinctive dining brands that can thrive in a range of locations while responding to changing consumer habits and lifestyle preferences.