HEALTHY fast food retailer Freshly Chopped is to open six new high-end standalone stores in Northern Ireland over next three years creating up to 150 jobs.
It has announced a strategic partnership with Ireland's largest indigenous food service and business support services provider Mount Charles, which has taken an exclusive area development contract to roll out the brand across Northern Ireland and Donegal.
The first flagship Freshly Chopped store is due to open in Belfast's Donegall Square West in August.
Gavin Annon, head of sales and marketing at Mount Charles said: “As a family-owned business with deep roots in the community, we listen to what our customers want and deliver innovative experiences.
"Today’s customer is focused on service and provenance, and Freshly Chopped, like ourselves, is an indigenous food company that uses the highest quality and freshest produce available.
“The addition of the Freshly Chopped brand to the Mount Charles portfolio strengthens our ability to deliver healthier eating choices to the people of Northern Ireland.”
Brian Lee, chief executive of Freshly Chopped, which he founded in Dublin in 2012 with Andy Chen, said: “Our mission has always been to make it as easy as possible for people to eat healthily.
"We’re confident we have the perfect partner in Mount Charles, who will help us to continue our journey of bringing healthy fast food to more people across Ireland.”
The successful Freshly Chopped franchise business has 46 stores across Ireland and also recently opened an outlet in Cyprus.
