Itsu continues national expansion

By Sophie Witts

05-May-2015 - Last updated on 06-May-2015 at 12:20 GMT

The chain has recently opened at Stansted airport

Itsu, the Asian fast-service concept created by Pret A Manger founder Julian Metcalfe, plans to open between 10 and 15 sites this year with a continued focus on regional expansion.

After launching at Stansted Airports' £80m redevelopment in March, the chain are expanding in the capital with sites opening on Fleet Street on 5 May, Neal Street on 8 May and Euston on 18 May.

A restaurant will also open at the Westfield White City development in July.

The brand confirmed summer openings were planned for Reading and Cambridge, and that it was currently scouting for locations around the UK.

“London remains critically important to us but we are looking for beautiful locations across the country. We hope to have news of further openings in the next few months,” a representative for Itsu told BigHospitality.

The chain opened its first site outside of London in Oxford in 2013, followed by Brighton in 2014.

Speaking to one of BigHospitality's sister publications M&C Report last year, Itsu CEO Gerard Loughran said regional trading had been 'better than forecasted' and that plans were in place to roll out the brand nationwide.

With the casual dining sector set to grow a further £10bn by 2019, foodservice analyst Horizon’s has tipped healthy fast food concepts such as Itsu as ‘Ones to Watch’ in terms of expansion.