Chopstix to ramp up franchising with new director appointment

It currently operates more than 75 restaurants across the UK, 22 of which are franchised.

Chopstix is ramping up its franchising plans, appointing Aaron Moore-Saxton as the company’s first ever franchise director.

Moore-Saxton joins from itsu, where he was director of partnerships, creating and leading the brand’s franchise global growth development strategy. From 2015 to 2020, he was managing director at Aspirational Pub Company, leading a turnaround strategy and introducing a number of one system procedures across the business.

Before that, he served in a number of senior operations roles at Pizza Hut UK&I over nine years, becoming chief operating officer in 2014, where he led the team managing 44 company-owned stores, as well as overseeing franchise leadership in 298 Delivery stores and 318 Restaurants.

Chopstix currently operates more than 75 restaurants across the UK, 22 of which are franchised, run by partners including Welcome Break and Applegreen.

Moore-Saxton is expected to  collaborate with existing partners to support and develop their operations, as well as working with new partners.

Jon Lake, managing director of CHOPSTIX, said: “It’s a real coup to be able to bring in somebody with Aaron’s experience, network and skillset. Franchising is central to our long-term growth plans, and Aaron is the perfect man to drive our strategy forward.”

Chopstix, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, has at least 12 stores set to open before the end of the year, through a mix of directly owned and operated stores (equity stores), and its franchise operation.