Supporting Chopstix's rapid growth
About Chopstix
Chopstix is one of the UK's fastest-growing Asian-inspired quick service restaurant brands, with an ambitious rollout plan across high streets, shopping centres and travel hubs throughout England and Wales.
The Brief
When Chopstix approached us, their expansion programme was progressing rapidly, with multiple active transactions, strict construction timelines, and fixed opening dates. Not only did they need support for their property expansion programme, but they also wanted to restructure their existing portfolio. The legal challenges were both technical and operational.
We were onboarded to:
• Negotiate agreements for lease and new lease terms, along with any supplemental documents such as licence for alterations
• Negotiate licences to assign and any existing defects in any current leases owned by the group
• Report on title and managing due diligence
• Advise on any incentives and fit-out provisions
• Coordinate with agents, surveyors and the client's internal property team
• Manage matters to tight deadlines to align with target opening dates.
How we moved
We began by aligning closely with Chopstix's internal property team and their agents to define acceptable terms from the outset. We negotiated heads of terms with their commercial priorities in mind, enabling us to identify key issues and address them promptly as leases were received.
To keep pace across concurrent transactions, we implemented shared reporting tools that gave the client, agents and our team a live view of every site. Progress, risks, target dates, and emerging issues. Everyone stayed informed, and nothing fell behind.
Where complications with the title or the landlord arose, we focused on solutions rather than problems. Clear, practical advice that allowed Chopstix to make decisions quickly and keep things moving.
The Result
Our involvement delivered a successful programme of new site acquisitions across England and Wales, each with commercially sound lease terms, reduced negotiation timelines, and reliable coordination with all parties in the chain.
The expansion programme remained on track because we weren't just their lawyers, we were part of their team.
