The acclaimed acai brand taps 20-year construction veteran Phil Singh as it preps for expansion in both new and legacy markets
South Block — a beloved better-for-you brand that dishes up acai bowls, smoothies, and cold-pressed juices — has named Phil Singh its Director of Construction and Development.
Singh has been in retail construction for more than 20 years. Most recently, he was at CAVA, where he served as Construction Manager for the booming brand’s NE Region. Prior to CAVA, he held various roles such as Director of Construction and New Store Development for The Salty Donut, owner of Milestone Construction Management, and the Construction Manager for MOD Pizza. Before moving to brand representation, Singh started his career in architecture, where he spent 15 years working as a project manager on big box retail, supporting brands from the architectural side.
“Phil has only been with South Block for a short time, but his addition has been an immediate lift to our growth strategies,” said Amir Mostafavi, founder and CEO of South Block. “We will rely on his expertise and vast network of relationships to guide us through the exciting and challenging momentum that comes with multi-market growth — all while working hard to keep the community focus that is truly at the heart of South Block. We are honored and excited to have him on this journey with us.”
South Block currently has 17 locations across D.C., Maryland, and Virginia — with several locations already in the pipeline. One of those locations includes the Dulles airport later this year, which will introduce the beloved local brand to both national and international travelers.
In January 2024, South Block entered into a growth partnership with Savory Fund, a private equity firm that invests in emerging restaurant concepts — with Mostafavi staying on as CEO and steersman. Together, South Block and Savory will grow the brand both in heritage and new markets across the country.
“I have been a fan and regular customer of South Block for a long time,” Singh said. “After meeting with Amir in person, my excitement and admiration for the brand only grew. From its community involvement to the care put into the employees, South Block is truly something special. The opportunity to be a part of a growing brand that wants to make a difference in every community is a dream. I am honored to be here.”
South Block opened its first location in Clarendon, VA in 2011 with a mission to build healthier communities one block at a time. It specializes in fresh, made-to-order smoothies, acai bowls, toasts, and cold-pressed juices. The name was inspired by its first location on the south side of a block in the Clarendon neighborhood. South Block now has 17 locations across DC, Maryland, and Virginia. In 2024, South Block entered into a growth partnership with Savory Fund, a private equity group that invests in emerging restaurant concepts. Additionally, Mostafavi started a nonprofit for South Block called Fruitful Planet, which provides fresh fruits and vegetables to underserved communities. Learn more at SouthBlock.com.
Savory is an innovative private equity firm that combines over $750 million in assets under management with a growth playbook and expertise that has been developed over 15 years of operating in the restaurant industry. Savory partners with high-potential, profitable, emerging restaurant brands, to deliver financial capital, industry expertise, growth and revenue opportunities, profitability enhancements and new location development. The Savory team contributes directly to all aspects of growth and replication by using a proven playbook and methodology. Founder involvement in the expansion of a brand is a central theme of the Savory approach as founders carry the tribal knowledge around the uniqueness that has energized early success and is essential to future growth. Savory is currently invested in the following brands: Swig, R&R BBQ, PINCHO, Via 313 Pizzeria, Mo’ Bettahs Hawaiian Style Food, 86 Repairs, Saigon Hustle, Hash Kitchen, The Sicilian Butcher, Houston TX Hot Chicken, and South Block. For more information, visit SavoryFund.com.
