Auntie Anne's Opens Third UK Container Store in Ashford

Auntie Anne's has opened a container-format shop at Designer Outlet Ashford, its third such location in the United Kingdom, QSR Media UK reported on October 3.

The pretzel chain began testing the format with a unit at the Cheshire Oaks outlet center in 2025 and added a second in Canterbury before the Ashford opening. The company said the Cheshire Oaks unit has traded above its projections.

Containers cost less to build out than a standard store, according to the company, and let the brand operate in sites that cannot accommodate a conventional shop. Auntie Anne's said it will run the containers alongside its stores and kiosks as it pursues busy shopping destinations, transport hubs and other non-standard sites, with a goal of 100 locations across the UK and Ireland by 2030.

Staff at Ashford will mix dough each day from the brand's original recipe and roll and bake the pretzels where customers can watch.

Max Burton, managing director of Auntie Anne's UK and Ireland, said the format widens the range of sites the chain can consider and gives franchise partners "another route" to expand with the brand.

This story was first reported by QSR Media UK.