Melbourne-based food franchise, Noodle Box, is targeting the lucrative Western Australia, as well as gearing up for a brand refresh.

The chain, which has 70 stores nationally but only one site in Perth, hopes to have up to 5 stores in WA by mid-2014.

Michael Standley, network development manager, told trade media last week it was targeting WA franchisees looking for a career change.

“Lots of people have relocated to Perth for mining but now may be looking to get out of mining as it declines,” he said.

Standley said the chain will also be revealing a “slick and stylish” new restaurant design.

The QSR franchise is currently branded in black and red hues, and has used a panda cartoon and the shape of an Asian man as its mascots.

Noodle Box first launched in Melbourne in 1996 with a quick service model based around Asian-inspired noodles, pad thai, and stir fry.

Its website is currently listing franchise opportunities in Perth as “a major focus”, as well as several sites in Queensland and Victoria.