A BELOVED noodle chain with 127 UK branches has shuttered its original Oxford Street venue after 23 years.
Fans were saddened to see the popular Chopstix brand close down their “location that started it all” in London.
The Chopstox venue in Oxford Street has been closed down[/caption]
Owners announced the shut down in a poignant message on social media.
Menashe Sadik, Chopstix co-founder and director, wrote with a heavy heart: “I’m sad to say goodbye to the location that started it all, but in many ways, it is a reminder of just how far we’ve come in 23 years.
“As we begin the process of upgrading our in-store visual identity and build up our pipeline of new stores with our partners QSRP, this is a truly exciting moment in the Chopstix story, even if we are sad to close a previous chapter.
“We know there’s no other place quite like Oxford Street, so no doubt Chopstix will be back on the street soon.”
The decision comes as the company are beginning a restructuring process after being taken over by QSRP in October last year.
Chopstix rolled our their first concept store in Bridgend earlier this month.
The new site boasts bottomless drinks and table service.
Chopstix was created in 2002 and has since expanded to 150 venues across the UK and Ireland.
What is happening to the hospitality industry?
By Laura McGuire, consumer reporter
MANY Food and drink chains have been struggling in recently as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out.
Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation.
Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny’s closing branches.
Some chains have not survived, Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs.
Pizza giant, Papa Johns is shutting down 43 of its stores soon.
Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, said it will shut sites as part of major restructuring plans.
This comes as the hospitality industry is witnessing even top celebrity chefs struggle to keep operations running.
The Sun reported a private chef to royals and billionaires abruptly shut down a famed UK restaurant after just six months.
Fans were stunned by the announcement that the Unagi chain would be closing one of their popular venues.
Their location on the Salford Quays, in Manchester, informed customers of the move this week.
Elsewhere, the creator of a Michelin-backed restaurant has confirmed a devastating closure after 14 years.
Loyal diners were disappointed to hear one of their favourite family-run venues was shutting down forever.
And, just last month The Sun reported a BBC star and Gordon Ramsay protege was compelled to close another venue after “vowing to do it right” this time.
Similar scenes unfolded when one chef suddenly shut down two Michelin-hailed restaurants without warning as fans cried “I thought they’d go on forever”.
Meanwhile, The Sun has compiled a full list of celeb TV chefs that shut down Michelin-hailed restaurants last year – including a BBC MasterChef judge.
