Chop’d gets set for threefold expansion after £2m boost

Chop’d is poised for a rapid store expansion as it bids to become London’s biggest salad bar chain after receiving a £2 million investment, the Evening Standard can reveal.

The chain’s managing director Eddie Holmes, who founded Chop’d in 2004 after four years as head chef at Yo! Sushi, wants to use the money to expand from nine to 30 shops within five years.

The chain is based exclusively in the capital at present and Holmes said that “two dozen” would still be in London after the expansion.

He added that outside investment for Chop’d, which is based in the City’s Leadenhall Market, would result in a “quantum jump” for the business.

Private equity group Calculus Capital has invested the money in exchange for nearly 40% of the business. Director Rick Jones said: “Chop’d are pioneers in the healthy eating space. It’s been at the heart of the business for the past 10 years rather than a fad to jump on.”

Chop’d is known for using carefully sourced ingredients. Asparagus used in some salads was from the same supplier which the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge used for the Royal Wedding two years ago.