Greek salads for Chopped with move into Cyprus

Brian Lee, co-founder and managing director of Freshly Chopped.

Ellie Donnelly

irish food company Freshly Chopped has signed a six-figure deal to launch the brand in Cyprus, as the company begins its expansion across Europe.

Two new stores will be opened in the initial phase of the roll-out. As part of the expansion, the company will create 30 jobs on the Eastern Mediterranean island.

The first store in the capital, Nicosia, which is close to a busy business district, will be opened in early 2018.

This store will be followed closely by a restaurant in Larnaca, with plans to roll out across the island.

Freshly Chopped is expanding through a franchise agreement signed with Karen Polyviou.

Operating a family-run business, which has extensive retail franchise experience, Ms Polyvious first experienced Freshly Chopped at Terminal One in Dublin Airport.

The Cypriot outlets will take on board local culinary tastes and will adjust the menu to include locally sourced ingredients.

"Our first outlet in Cyprus mark a significant step in our journey but this is still just the beginning," said Brian Lee, co-founder and managing director of Freshly Chopped. "Our ultimate dream is to be as big as McDonald's, with a Freshly Chopped on every street corner across the globe." Founded in Dublin in 2012, the company now has 30 stores across Ireland selling salads, wraps, sandwiches and home-made soups. In 2016 the Freshly Chopped franchise model was launched, the first of which opened in February of that year.