Chopstix grows to 84 restaurants after Yangtze acquisition

Chopstix Group has expanded to 84 sites across the UK, following the acquisition of the owner of the Yangtze chain of restaurants.

Chopstix paid an undisclosed sum for The Wok Ltd, which operates nine sites under the Yangtze brand.

It will continue to run the quick service Chinese restaurants under their original name, as a sister brand to its 75 Chopstix venues.

As a result of the deal, Chopstix Group is now active within 35 shopping and retail hubs across the country. Chopstix has 26 restaurants in shopping centres, while all nine of the Yangtze outlets are in centres including Birmingham's Merryhill Centre and the Meadowhall Centre in Sheffield.

Commenting on the acquisition, CG director Sam Elia said: "We have been keen to extend our restaurant interests in the ‘food to go' sector for a number of years, however, were prepared to wait until the right proposition presented itself. With this acquisition, we are pleased to add a second premium brand to our portfolio, and fully intend to maximise the potential of both Chopstix and Yangtze in the months and years ahead."

CG co-director Menashe Sadik added: "Now that our first acquisition has been concluded, there is a real appetite and desire to consider future activity. We are already assessing a number of potential deals, and whilst Chopstix and Yangtze share an obvious affinity, we are not inclined to limit ourselves exclusively to the oriental-influenced sector, as we seek to achieve the Group's acquisition and growth ambitions."

CG was founded by Elia and Sadik in 2001 and they have doubled the number of outlets the business runs within the past 18 months.

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