Build-A-Bear Workshop plans a chain of 50 British stores, following the opening of its first in Sheffield last week.
The retailer, founded by former May Department Store director and Payless ShoeSource president Maxine Clark, has 147 stores in the US, four in Canada and sales of approximately US$200 million (£120 million).
Clark said: 'There are plans for 50 stores, including Ireland and Scotland.
We want to be in all the countries where stuffed animal toys are part of the culture and where there are big population centres.'
She said that next year stores will follow in other countries outside the US, including Japan in January, Korea in February and Denmark and France in late spring.
All non-US shops will be opened with franchise partners, as is the case in the UK, where partner Amsbra is headed by UK 'chairbear' Steve Bedford.
Clark said there were opportunities to extend the build- your-own concept in children's products. She explained that a new workshop will be launched in the US this Christmas, but she would not be drawn on details.
However, she said it would be tested in-store first before any commitment to standalones is made.
Build-A-Bear Workshop is close to signing another UK store just outside London. Clark said the company's target in the US was 300 to 400 stores.
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