The Midcounties Co-operative is looking to roll out Chozen Noodle, its Asian-inspired new fast-casual dining and food-to-go franchise, to other convenience stores in the group.
The business, which has 228 stores, opened its first Chozen Noodle outlet at its 2,431sq ft (net) Regency Arcade store in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, on Monday [Feb 20].
Chozen Noodle is a format that owner CP Foods has franchised to the co-op and trained the mutual’s staff to run.
The menu ranges from Spicy Chicken to classics such as Red Thai Beef, vegetarian Green Thai Curry, Sushi & Sashimi, Udon and salads and sides and crackers to take away and to eat in.
Matt Bemrose, deputy manager of the Lemington Spa store, said it had seating for 15 people. “There’s nothing like this around. It’s been doing really well,” he said.
The opening of the 297sq ft Chozen Noodle forms part of a £230,000 modernisation of the food store.
Phil Ponsonby, group general manager at The Midcounties Co-operative Food, said: “We are considering further locations where the Chozen Noodle concept would complement our food offering and help to drive footfall, as well as serve the local community.”
The MidCounties Co-op was committed to providing services that the communities in which it traded wanted and needed and it always looked at new partners that enabled it to do that.
Stacy Baker, manager of the Leamington Spa store added: “Our town centre location means lunchtime is always one of our busiest periods, so introducing the Chozen Noodle franchise means we can provide even more food-to-go options for our customers.”
The MidCounties Co-op’s food business turned over £562m last year, down 2.6% year on year.
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