Introduction
Popular restaurant chain Wagamama has announced its plans to open 10 new locations in the UK this year, resulting in the creation of 500 jobs. The move comes as the pan-Asian eatery experiences growing demand from consumers.
New Restaurants and Locations
Wagamama, known for its casual dining experience on bench seating, currently operates over 170 restaurants in the UK. The chain has already opened its first new site of the year in Bentley Bridge, Wolverhampton, and will continue expanding with new locations in St Enoch's, Glasgow, Epsom, Doncaster, Chatham in Kent, and Watford.
Job Creation
The opening of these new restaurants will provide employment opportunities for around 500 individuals, including positions such as kitchen porters, waiters, chefs, and general managers, according to Wagamama.
Exciting Menu Updates
Wagamama CEO Thomas Heier expressed enthusiasm for the year ahead, highlighting the launch of new dishes on their Korean-inspired menu, including vegan corn dogs and hot pots and rice bowls. He also mentioned that half of the menu has been made meat-free to cater to changing dietary preferences.
Continued Success
Wagamama has experienced a significant boost in sales, with a more than 10% increase in the first half of the year compared to the same period in the previous year. The restaurant chain opened six new sites in 2023.
About Wagamama
Wagamama was founded by Alan Yau in 1992 and has since become a prominent Asian-inspired restaurant chain in the UK. Yau's initial vision was to create a fast-food Chinese restaurant that could rival popular chains like McDonald's or KFC. Despite facing challenges, Yau found success by introducing ramen to his menu, and the restaurant quickly gained popularity.
Alan Yau's Success Story
Prior to founding Wagamama, Alan Yau worked in his parents' Chinese restaurant and aspired to create a fast-food Chinese restaurant that offered a unique dining experience. After discovering the potential of ramen, Yau opened the first Wagamama restaurant in London. Although it initially faced criticism, the restaurant gained recognition and became a favorite among food enthusiasts. Yau went on to sell Wagamama and achieve further success in the fine dining industry with restaurants like Hakkasan.
Overall, Wagamama's expansion plans and job creation efforts reflect its commitment to meeting the evolving demands of consumers in the UK's competitive restaurant industry.
