THE ISSA brothers have announced the latest collaboration between Asda and a start-up digital food service to trial new interactive food kiosks in stores.

This comes with the supermarket giant, now owned by Blackburn based EG Group founders Mohsin and Zuber Issa, having made an equity investment in Lean Kitchen Network, which own brands including burger chain Twisted London.

According to Reuters and trade magazine The Grocer, the new collaboration will see tech-driven "food-for-now" counters initially in four London stores, with more around the country possibly to follow.

Asda chief strategy officer Preyash Thakrar said: “Investing in the business is the natural next step in our relationship and we look forward to working with them as they drive positive change in the food-for-now market, leading to greater choice and improved quality for consumers.”

He added that the strategy is “anchored around collaborating with innovative businesses like Lean Kitchen Network to bring new products and services to customers."

This marks the latest stage in a series of moves by the Issa brothers which has already seen Asda partner with with fast food retailer Greggs, DIY company B&Q and toy seller The Entertainer designed to repurpose excess floor space in stores.

Asda made the investment in LKN alongside Edition Capital but has not disclosed the financial details.

In the four initial stores customers will be able to order food at LKN's touch-screen kiosk or on their mobile phone by scanning a QR code, and can wait for it to be made in the store's kitchen or collect their order at the end of their shop.

The counters will also offer orders for delivery from Uber Eats.

CEO and founder of Lean Kitchen Network Faraz Nagree said receiving backing from the Issa and Asda’s was a "big step forward" for the company.

He said: "Their unparalleled expertise and buying scale, combined with our digital and food development capabilities, will be truly disruptive for food-for-now and delivery as we grow at pace."

Asda has not yet announced whether the food counters will be rolled out in stores nationwide, including those in East Lancashire.