Birmingham eatery targets international growth
BIRMINGHAM-based pan Asian eatery, Chop and Wok, is targeting growth by rolling out its concept globally.
From its origins in Suffolk Street, Chop and Wok now stretches to five branches in Birmingham – Cannon Street in the city centre, Quinton, Sutton Coldfield and Solihull providing the other locations. The company is also launching in the City of Westminster but is keeping the location of its first London outlet under wraps.
The new venture will open in July and trained staff from Birmingham will be dispatched to the capital to help with the launch. The move will create a number of new jobs opportunities in Birmingham.
Globally, the company has its eye firstly on the Middle East, where it has attracted the interest of a partner looking to develop franchise in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere in the region.
Both parties have agreed on a minimum target of three stores per year – subject to a pilot store – over the next five years in Saudi Arabia with sights already set on taking the brand across the Middle East. The process has taken just over a year from initial contact to agreement of funds.
Birmingham-born entrepreneur and Chop and Wok founder, Aman Bhandal, has been working closely with the Franchise Development Centre to compile both a national and international franchising pack.
He said: “We’ve been on quite a journey with Chop and Wok. To already be finalising plans to expand internationally, let alone nationally, is exciting to say the least and shows just how much growth the business has seen in such a short space of time. Who knows, we may even be able to build something big enough to compete with the big brands out there.”
Chop and Wok is a pan-Asian wok-based takeaway and restaurant with an Asian fusion menu. The outlets feature modern, fluorescent-lit dining areas. The dishes are cooked in an open kitchen so diners can watch their food being prepared. The menu encompasses Chinese, Thai, Malay, Japanese and Indian flavours.
