The first ever Chinese takeaway drive-thru in England will open in the north west this week, it has been revealed.
Called Wiyo – which stands for What Is Your Order – will bring something entirely new to the region as it launches its first drive-thru restaurant in Warrington this week.
Offering up the likes of salt and pepper chicken, shredded chilli beef and its “house special chicken”, owners have revealed they already have their sites set on an opening in Manchester – and hope that in time the concept could become the “McDonald’s of Asian cuisine.”
The idea was first born, apparently, around a kitchen table back in 2018 but has taken five years to come to fruition.
Co-owners Leon Freedman, Sally Gallagher and Dominic Freeman are the trio behind the genius concept and worked alongside a leading Chinese chef to develop the menu for Wiyo.
Choices span three different meal options, with prices starting from just £7 for a single dish and drink and rising to £11 for three dishes with a beverage.
Further options include a ‘salt + pepper sub’ with seasoned chicken layered onto a roll with salad, onions and a special soy mayonnaise, as well as side dishes like battered spring rolls and chicken nuggets from £3.
One of Wiyo’s owners, Leon Freedman, told the Manchester Evening News: “The aim was to make Chinese takeaway food quicker and more convenient for the masses. Considering how popular Chinese food is in England, we were confused why no one had developed the concept before now.
“The goal is to make Wiyo the McDonald’s of the Chinese fast food industry. We’re already looking at franchises in Manchester, Liverpool, Essex and hope to make this national.”
Speaking to the Warrington Guardian he added: “Our goal was to create a quick, convenient, great tasting menu, that can be eaten on the go for the people of Warrington and surrounding areas.
“We will be employing at least 15 staff from the local area and hope to bring some life back to a once run-down space in the centre of town.”
Wiyo opens officially on Saturday, June 17 at 5pm, following on from a soft launch this weekend just passed.
Featured image – Wiyo
Eats
Nostalgic ready-to-drink Breezer makes UK return after a decade
Daisy Jackson
An iconic ready-to-drink favourite has launched back into the UK – oh yes, Breezer is back.
First launched in the 1990s, Breezers – then pitched as an ‘alcopop’ – were a staple on dancefloors and at barbecues right across the UK.
And now Bacardi has decided to bring these delicious, fruity, easy-drinking bottles back to British shores.
There are three new flavours to try as Breezers return to your fridges – Zesty Orange, Zingy Lime, and Crisp Watermelon.
And Breezer launched back into Manchester last night with a suitably memorable party, turning a spot in the Northern Quarter into a corner shop.
The ‘local Cornerbop’ was stacked with your usual essentials, plus shelf after shelf of these colourful glass ready-to-drink bottles.
Inside the Breezer ‘Cornerbop’ corner shop in ManchesterBreezer is back, in three new flavours
The Breezer relaunch party saw Tarsza and Rennie Peters spinning nostalgic anthems with a modern twist at a pop-up party in a corner shop.
Steve Young, business unit director for Bacardi in the UK & Ireland, said: “We know there is a lot of love for Breezer in the UK, and we are confident a new generation of consumers will fall in love with the new Breezer.
“RTDs are booming, however, the Flavoured Alcoholic Beverages category could do with a bit more excitement. By bringing back Breezer we’re definitely putting the fruity taste into FAB.”
The iconic ready-to-drink classic is back – and better than ever.
Drinks prices for Manchester Oasis gigs announced – and you’ll be pleasantly surprised
Daisy Jackson
The prices of drinks at Heaton Park for the five huge Manchester Oasis shows have been released in advance.
With the Gallagher brothers reuniting on stage in their hometown for the first time this weekend (and then again next week), it’s a huge moment for our city.
Those lucky enough to snag tickets have already forked out a small fortune to witness this moment in history (still scarred from the dynamic pricing debacle).
And most of us were probably bracing to spend another small fortune on beers at the Oasis Manchester gigs.
But you might be pleasantly surprised at the drinks prices up at Heaton Park for Oasis Live ’25.
It’s now been confirmed that pints of lager and cider will be just £6.50.
Before you turn your nose up, remember that pints at our two arenas – the AO Arena and Co-op Live are now sitting around the £9 mark.
Prices for other drinks, like wine and spirits, we’ll have to wait until Friday to see.
Heaton Park will also be the home of the ‘largest beer garden’ and the longest bars in the city for the Oasis reunion.
With a major heatwave predicted for the first shows, fans are being encouraged to stay hydrated (on WATER, not beer, please).
Ticket-holders will be allowed to bring a sealed bottle of water up to 500ml in with you, but it must be collapsible plastic.
Solid plastic and metal containers will be rejected on safety grounds.
There’s a free water point on site where you can fill up your bottles again.
Oasis will perform at Heaton Park in Manchester on 11, 12, 16, 19 and 20 July.
Georgina Pellant -
12th June 2023 
