Fast growing noodle bar chain Chopstix is opening in Aldershot, Bedford and Washington before the end of the year, M&C has learnt.

The company, which launched its franchise programme earlier this year, is targeting an estate of 300 restaurants by 2019.

In March the company secured a deal with Irish service station operator Applegreen to open in the Republic of Ireland. Since signing the deal it has opened at Galway, Jobstown, Listowel, Swords and Lusk in Republic of Ireland as well as on the M2 in Northern Ireland.

It has also opened in Edinburgh, Stratford and Maidstone this year to bring its total number of sites to 40.