Western Australian pasta and fast-casual hospitality chain Pastacup is gearing up for ambitious interstate and international expansion after nearly reaching saturation in its home market of Perth. According to the brand’s leadership, the next phase of growth will focus on entering Victoria, Queensland and potentially New Zealand as the company looks to broaden its footprint beyond Western Australia’s 16 existing stores. 

Pastacup’s model — centred on street-front pasta stores in suburban areas with strong population density and good parking — has delivered solid results in Western Australia. With limited opportunity left for new locations in the state, the brand is now turning its attention to the eastern seaboard and across the Tasman. 

Pastacup Director, Courtney Ryan, said the company has “specific rules around locations for good returns and for franchisees to do well,” adding that while a few additional sites in WA are still possible, the most significant growth potential lies interstate and overseas.

To support this push, Pastacup is looking for street-front sites with parking in high-density suburbs or well-priced central locations, and plans to adapt its current marketing format for new markets, ensuring consistent pricing and attractive profit margins for franchisees. (Souce: Inside Retail Australia)

Operational Model and Expansion Strategy

Pastacup’s strategic expansion roadmap hinges on three pillars:

1. Interstate Growth: Targeting high-population metro areas in Victoria and Queensland that align with the brand’s suburban positioning and customer demographics. 

2. International Markets: Exploring opportunities in New Zealand to replicate the WA formula in a new cultural and economic region. 

3. Franchise Model Consistency: Leveraging its successful Western Australian operational and marketing format to maintain brand consistency as it scales. 

Pastacup’s expansion reflects broader momentum across Australia’s fast-casual dining sector, where simplified menus and efficient store formats continue to attract franchise investors. Entrepreneurs comparing opportunities in this space often explore other fast-casual food franchise opportunities in Australia, particularly brands offering scalable operations and strong suburban appeal similar to Pastacup’s model.

Pastacup Growth Projection

With these efforts, Pastacup aims to strike a balance between careful site selection and accelerated growth opportunities in under-served markets.