Chopstix plans to open 30 new stores following record sales

The UK Asian quick ser vice restaurant group, Chopstix, plans to open 30 new stores this year, creating almost 1,000 new jobs.

The rapid expansion, repor ts Chopstix, has been fuelled by record revenues, with system sales forecast to reach over £65m by the end of its f inancial year, an increase of over 40% on the previous year

The g roup projects revenue to rise even fur ther in the following 12-months with system sales of over £90m predicted, which it highlights as a signif icant landmark for a business founded on an initial investment of £80,000

Established in Camden Market, London, in 2002 by two entrepreneurs

Sam Elia and Menashe Sadik, the g roup has g rown steadily over the past two decades, before last year seeing a record number of 26 new restaurants opened

Chopstix says the business, which continues to be suppor ted by Metro Bank, now comprises locations across the UK and Ireland through a mix of company-owned outlets and franchises with brands such as Appleg reen, Spar ta Foods and Welcome Break

Competitor acquisition

The group kicked off 2023 with the acquisition of competitor, Chozen Noodle, comprising 27 motorway service area sites Chopstix expansion plans continue with a pipeline of new sites, through both company-owned and franchise models, including new equity stores at Bracknell in Berkshire and at Brent Cross in London, in addition to securing agreements with experienced operators like Sparta Foods, and trials with Haven and Butlin’s

Jon Lake, managing director of Chopstix Group, said: “We expect 2023 to be a momentous year We’ve worked hard to build our team and f ine-tune our operational processes to ensure this is a highly scalable business that we can continue to g row rapidly

“We are already the largest Asianinspired quick ser vice restaurant brand in the UK, and with the effectiveness of the business and the breadth of appeal our dishes boast, we’re conf ident that the business can continue to expand at pace and become a tr ue household name in the next few years.”

Commenting on trading following Covid-19 lockdown restrictions Elia, said: “It is highly encouraging to see such marked rises in system sales In recent years, we have focused heavily on perfecting our back of house processes, which has really suppor ted rapid and effective expansion in footprint, par ticularly through the franchise model

It is highly encouraging to see such marked rises in system sales In recent years, we have focused heavily on perfecting our back of house processes, which has really supported rapid and effective expansion in footprint, particularly through the franchise model

“There is signif icant momentum behind the company, with the acquisition of Chozen and many new sites in the pipeline we are ver y conf ident about the year ahead and beyond ”

Sadik added: “We believe there’s scope to reach 500 UK sites, and we also want to g row inter nationally through franchising. Our flexible model means we can operate in forecour ts and food cour ts, town centres and shopping centres, holiday parks and retail parks

“We’re continuing to evolve, with air por ts and drive-thr u’s next on our list We’re just as passionate about Chopstix now as we were 20 years ago.”

Chopstix repor ts that a g rowing propor tion of sales are via its app that was launched last summer and has had 150,000 downloads The company has also found that its app users spend more per transaction than non-users Chopstix customers can also order through the deliver y providers, Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats n

To learn more www.chopstixnoodles.co.uk