Guangzhou Xiao Noodles Catering applied for an initial public offering on the Hong Kong bourse, according to documents submitted to the bourse Tuesday.

The noodle restaurant operator is the fourth largest in China with 374 branches, it said in its IPO application document.

Xiao Noodles plans to use the proceeds from its planned IPO to expand its branch network, improve its information technology systems, build its brand, fund mergers and acquisitions, and for general corporate purposes.