Sam Elia, the co-founder of Europe’s largest Asian inspired quick serve restaurant group; Chopstix, has been a stalwart of the UK’s leisure sector for the last 30 years. After creating the noodle bar concept back in 2002 he has been instrumental in the brands direction and growth over the last two decades. His dedication and integrity have allowed the brand to grow to more than 100 locations, partnering with the likes of Welcome Break, Applegreen and Bourne leisure along the way. Now his dream of making the Chopstix ‘X’ as recognisable as the famous golden arches is well on the way to becoming a reality, as the brand continues to become a mainstay of the UK’s fast-food offer and pushes forward into Europe and beyond with its franchise model. Sam is a true visionary in every sense of the word but remains an operator at heart, committed to the diversity of offer that the UK consumer is demanding.