Wagamama to Fuel Growth with 10 New Openings Across the UK
Posted by Emma on 5th Feb 2024
Wagamama is set to enhance its UK presence by launching ten new restaurants in 2024, marking an increase from the six openings in the previous year. The expansion will introduce Wagamama's pan-Asian cuisine to various recent locations, including Bentley Bridge in Wolverhampton; Glasgow in February, Epsom in March, Doncaster in April; Chatham Maritime in May, and Woodside Leisure Park in Watford, also in May.
Stephen Shaw at English Wikipedia, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Since its inaugural restaurant in London's Bloomsbury in 1992, Wagamama has grown to over 165 locations, driven by rising demand for signature dishes like chicken katsu curry, pad thai, and bang bang cauliflower. This growth brings Wagamama's beloved menu to more diners. It is anticipated to generate 500 job opportunities, ranging from kitchen porters to general managers.
Thomas Heier, Wagamama's CEO, shared his enthusiasm for the expansion: "We're proud to be opening ten new sites in the UK in 2024. This past year has been thrilling for us as we've introduced innovative menu items, including vegan k-dogs, Korean-style hot pots, and gochujang rice bowls, alongside launching sustainable brand partnerships. Our team's dedication to enhancing our guest experience is unwavering, and we eagerly anticipate welcoming more visitors to our locations."
This announcement comes on the heels of Wagamama's parent company, TRG, being acquired by Apollo Global Management for £506 million in December, following advocacy from TRG's activist shareholders.
We invite your thoughts and comments below. How do you view Wagamama's expansion and its impact on the UK dining scene?