Chopstix Group
| Private | |
| ISIN | 🆔 |
| Industry | Quick-service restaurant |
| Genre | Pan-Asian cuisine |
| Founded 📆 | 2002 |
| Founders 👔 | Sam Elia, Menashe Sadik |
Number of locations | 150 (2025) |
Area served 🗺️ | United Kingdom, Ireland, Romania |
| Products 📟 | Asian-style noodle and rice dishes |
| Members | |
Number of employees | |
| Parent | QSRP (majority stake, 2024) |
| 🌐 Website | https://chopstixnoodles.co.uk/ |
| 📇 Address | |
| 📞 telephone | |
| Footnotes / references Chopstix Noodle Bar[1] | |
Chopstix Group, more commonly known as Chopstix Noodle Bar, is a British pan-Asian fast food restaurant chain founded in 2002. Its first outlet was opened by founders Sam Elia and Menashe Sadik as a noodle stall in Camden Market, London in 2002. Over the next two decades, the business expanded rapidly. By early 2022, the group reported about 80 Chopstix restaurants (plus 10 outlets of its Yangtze sister brand) in the UK and Ireland. As of 2024–25, the chain grew to around 150 locations across the UK and Ireland. In October 2024, Switzerland-based QSR platform QSRP acquired a majority stake in Chopstix, aiming to accelerate its expansion. In March 2025, Chopstix closed its original flagship restaurant on Oxford Street (after 23 years) and announced plans to relocate within central London.
History
Chopstix was established in 2002 in Camden Market by entrepreneurs Sam Elia and Menashe Sadik.[2] The founders soon expanded onto high streets and shopping centres, growing the brand through new locations. By its 20th anniversary in 2022, Chopstix had around 80 stores (plus 10 under its Yangtze brand) in the UK and Ireland.[3] The group also pursued franchise partnerships to fuel growth. For example, by 2022, it had about 22 franchised outlets operated with partners such as Welcome Break and Applegreen.[4]
In March 2023, Chopstix Group acquired Chozen Noodle (a roadside fast-food chain), purchasing all 27 of Chozen’s motorway-service-area (MSA) sites.[5] This made Chopstix Group one of the largest Asian QSR operators in the UK. Shortly thereafter, in mid-2023, Chopstix opened its first airport venue – a Chopstix Noodle Bar in the departure lounge of London Luton Airport.[6] In September 2024, the chain opened its first site outside the UK and Ireland, a Chopstix outlet at Bucharest’s Henri Coandă International Airport in Romania.[7]
In October 2024, the Swiss quick-service restaurant platform QSRP announced a strategic investment acquiring a majority stake in Chopstix. QSRP cited Chopstix’s growth potential and pan-Asian positioning as reasons for the deal.[8] Following the acquisition, Chopstix began updating its in-store branding and launching a new concept store design. In early 2025, Chopstix closed its original Oxford Street restaurant (operated for 23 years) and stated that it was seeking a new central London location.[9]
Operations
The Chopstix Group operates its Chopstix Noodle Bar brand alongside related concepts Yangtze (also a noodle/rice fast-food brand) and the recently acquired Chozen Noodle chain.[10] Store ownership is mixed: some locations are company-owned while others are franchised. Major franchise partners include several of the UK’s motorway service area operators. For example, Chopstix has franchise agreements with Roadchef and Moto (through the Chozen deal),[11] as well as with Welcome Break and Applegreen.[12] The group has also entered leisure and holiday destinations: it opened restaurants in partnership with Haven Holiday Parks[13] and at a Butlin’s resort.[14]
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- ↑ Commonly referred to as Chopstix Noodle Bar by the public and in company materials.
- ↑ Media, Insider (2022-10-05). "Asian restaurant brand set for expansion - Insider Media". Insider Media Ltd. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
- ↑ "Claire's set to close down long-standing store". Kent Online. 2022-06-29. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
The firm is due to bow out of the city and be replaced by Chopstix noodle bar - a company with more than 80 branches across the country.
- ↑ richardbuckley (2025-01-16). "Applegreen Announces New Partnership With Chick-fil-A - Business Eye". Business Eye. Archived from the original on 2025-09-17. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
- ↑ Reporter, Staff (2023-03-10). "Chopstix gobbles up competitor Chozen Noodle | QSR Media UK". qsrmedia.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
- ↑ McAllister, James (2023-06-06). "Chopstix secures first airport site". restaurantonline.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
- ↑ Restaurant (2024-09-19). "Chopstix chooses Romania for European debut". restaurantonline.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
- ↑ "Quick and Dunkin operator acquires majority stake in Chopstix". The Caterer. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
- ↑ McAllister, James (2025-03-27). "Chopstix closes original Oxford Street site". restaurantonline.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
Pan-Asian QSR brand Chopstix has closed its original restaurant on Oxford Street after 23 years, with the group saying it is seeking a new site in the central London area.
- ↑ Moran, Liam J. (2023-03-13). "Chopstix Group acquires Chozen Noodle | Catering Today". Retrieved 2025-12-29.
- ↑ "Chozen Noodle acquired by Chopstix Group". Christie & Co. 2023-04-02. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
The sites are principally managed through franchise agreements with Roadchef and Moto around the UK
- ↑ www.caterlyst.com https://www.caterlyst.com/Caterlyst3/Insight/Sector.aspx?t=12&n=34629#. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
At Chopstix, Aaron will be responsible for the continued growth of the brand’s franchise operation, which currently amounts to 22 franchise stores, run by partners including the likes of Welcome Break and Applegreen
Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ Wilson, Stuart (2022-05-17). "Asian fast food giant to bring 30 jobs to Ayrshire". Daily Record. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
Jon Lake, managing director at Chopstix, added: “Like Haven, CHOPSTIX is loved by people of all ages and backgrounds, and we’re looking forward to welcoming kids, parents and grandparents to dine with us at Craig Tara. We’re excited about this partnership and the prospect of growing our footprint across other Haven parks in the future.”
- ↑ Beck, Laycie (2025-08-12). "Noodle bar chain opens restaurant at Skegness holiday resort". Lincolnshire Live. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
