Young fashion chain Jack Wills is to double its presence in the US.

Co-founder of the retailer Peter Williams said that it plans to add eight to 10 stores to the 11 it already operates in the country next year.

The preppy fashion chain is also planning to establish a franchise operation in the Middle East as it looks to international markets for growth, the Daily Telegraph reported.

Since 2007, when the retailer sold a minority stake to private equity firm Inflexion, Jack Wills has expanded aggressively. At the end of 2010 it had 43 UK stores.