Leading QSR noodle bar brand, Chopstix has opened its second site in the Scottish town of Livingston this month, with further Scottish locations in the pipeline.
Chopstix’ estate in Scotland includes thriving stores in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen as well as an existing site in the Livingston Designer Outlet, the largest outlet mall in Scotland, and the company has identified significant growth opportunities north of the border, based on strong sales, outstanding customer feedback and an analysis of local consumer trends.
The new Chopstix site located at The Centre, Livingston EH54 6HR has opened its doors, kicking off a busy period of expansion in Scotland, with a site in Glasgow’s Braehead Shopping Centre next on the list.
The new locations will include striking design elements the brand has become renowned for, such as its iconic ‘living wall’, natural wood finishes and its winking anime character that features across all Chopstix locations.
Jon Lake, Managing Director, (pictured), said, “It’s plain to see there is significant momentum building behind Chopstix. What is most encouraging is the clear cut-through the brand has across the UK, with substantial demand not just in the largest cities, but in towns like Livingston.
'From the detailed analysis we have carried out, we’re confident there’s sufficient appetite for Chopstix in Livingston to support two thriving stores, and we’ll look to explore this cluster model of multiple sites in high footfall town centre locations in 2023 and beyond.”
The expansion across Scotland is the next step in a busy year of growth for the QSR group, having already announced the appointment of the company’s first Franchise Director and opening first franchise sites with leading UK holiday operators, Haven and Butlins.
With further site openings across both franchise and equity stores in the pipeline, the pan-Asian QSR brand is set to pass the 100-site mark by the end of the financial year.
With 87 stores, Chopstix is already considered the largest Asian-inspired restaurant brand in the UK, outstripping the likes of Itsu, Wasabi and YO! Sushi. However, the company has set its sights on becoming the largest on the continent.
Established in Camden Market in 2002 by entrepreneurs Sam Elia and Menashe Sadik, the Chopstix group comprises locations across the UK and Ireland through a mix of company owned and operated locations and franchise sites run through partnerships with the likes of Welcome Break and Applegreen.
In addition, the business also has relationships with delivery partners Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats, as well as several brand extensions including a grocery sauce range, plus further innovations in the pipeline.