Wagamama

Wagamama to open 10 restaurants in 2024

05-Feb-2024 By Restaurant

Wagamama plans to open up to 10 new restaurants around the UK in a move that it says will create more than 500 jobs.

The Restaurant Group shareholders approve sale to Apollo

28-Nov-2023 By Restaurant

Shareholders of The Restaurant Group (TRG) have formally approved its sale to private equity company Apollo Global Management for £506m.

Lessons from Wagamama: the power of design and the power of brand

22-Nov-2023 By Jon Blakeney

With its purchase of The Restaurant Group, US private equity giant Apollo has bought one of the UK's most inspirational casual dining brands.

PizzaExpress owner weighs up rival bid for The Restaurant Group

26-Oct-2023 By Restaurant

The owner of PizzaExpress could throw its hat into the ring to buy The Restaurant Group (TRG).

Apollo Group acquires The Restaurant Group in £700m deal

12-Oct-2023 By Joe Lutrario

Wagamama owner The Restaurant Group (TRG) has been bought by US private equity house Apollo Funds.

TRG chairman Ken Hanna to step down

08-Sep-2023 By James McAllister

The Restaurant Group (TRG) has announced that its chairman, Ken Hanna, is to step down.

Recovery of concessions business helps drive strong LFL sales growth at TRG

06-Sep-2023 By James McAllister

The Restaurant Group (TRG) has reported strong like-for-like (LFL) sales growth in the first half of the year (H1), driven in part by the recovery of its concessions business.

Wagamama’s noodle lab returns to Soho

20-Jul-2023 By Restaurant

Wagamama’s noodle lab has returned to Soho, taking up residence at the group’s restaurant on Great Marlborough Street.

Wagamama continues to trade ‘strongly’ as TRG toasts ‘very encouraging’ year-to-date performance - updated

19-Jul-2023 By Restaurant

The Restaurant Group (TRG) has announced a strong like-for-like (LFL) trading performance for the first half of the year with rising sales across its Wagamama, concessions and pubs divisions.

Irenic calls on The Restaurant Group chairman to step down - updated

12-Jul-2023 By James McAllister

The Restaurant Group (TRG) is facing yet more pressure from investors after Irenic Capital Management called on the company’s board to replace chairman Ken Hanna.

Alan Yau to launch retail and restaurant ramen concept

10-Jul-2023 By Finn Scott-Delany

Wagamama founder Alan Yau is to launch a restaurant and retail concept selling plant-based ramen.

TRG hit with fresh investor attack following senior team appointments

26-Jun-2023 By James McAllister

The Restaurant Group (TRG) is facing fresh pressure from one of its main shareholders for promoting a finance chief with close links to its CEO, Andy Hornby.

TRG faces new investor pressure

15-May-2023 By James McAllister

The Restaurant Group (TRG) has come under renewed pressure from investors after Coltrane Asset Management, which has built a 3% stake in the business, called for change at the company.

The Restaurant Group reports ‘very encouraging’ performance

02-May-2023 By Joe Lutrario

Wagamama and Brunning & Price owner The Restaurant Group has reported a ‘very encouraging’ performance for the first four months of its financial year ahead of its AGM later this month.

Second shareholder voices intention to vote against TRG’s remuneration policies

27-Apr-2023 By James McAllister

A second shareholder in The Restaurant Group (TRG) has said it intends to vote against its remuneration policy, piling further pressure on the beleaguered casual dining operator.

Andy Hornby: ‘Pressure from Oasis has no bearing on TRG’s strategic plan’

10-Mar-2023 By Georgi Gyton

The Restaurant Group’s (TRG) three-year strategy has in no way been influenced by recent pressure from activist investor Oasis Management, the casual dining group's chief executive Andy Hornby has said.

The Restaurant Group to further shrink leisure estate as losses widen

08-Mar-2023 By James McAllister

The Restaurant Group (TRG) is to offload a further 35 sites from its leisure estate and has posted widening losses as it looks to face down pressure from activist investors.

The Restaurant Group under fire from Hong Kong-based shareholder

16-Feb-2023 By Restaurant

A shareholder in The Restaurant Group (TRG) has called for an ‘immediate and near-term’ change of governance at the business following what it says has been poor performance in its share prices.

Major brands face possibility of food shortages as Bestfood workers threaten strike action

18-Oct-2022 By Joe Lutrario

Almost 600 GMB members working for food logistics company Bestfood will take part in a strike ballot after they rejected the company’s latest pay offer.

The Restaurant Group delivers “robust financial performance in a challenging market”

08-Sep-2022 By Joe Lutrario

Wagamama and Frankie & Benny's-owner The Restaurant Group’s says it has made ‘good progress’ over the last six months but warns of an ‘uncertain consumer environment’.

TRG reports robust trading across Wagamama and pubs business

24-May-2022 By Finn Scott-Delany

The Restaurant Group (TRG) has reported strong consumer demand for its brands as it continues to outperform the market.

Wagamama launches lunchtime delivery concept

18-Feb-2022 By James McAllister

Wagamama has launched a new lunchtime delivery concept called BOX across London and Leeds that's designed for both people who have returned to the office and those working from home.

The Restaurant Group reports “good progress”

15-Sep-2021 By Joe Lutrario

Wagamama owner The Restaurant Group has chalked up a significant increase in like-for-likes since the reopening of indoor trading but its dine-in business is still down on 2019.

Wagamama warns of staff shortages as Brexit immigration restrictions bite

06-Sep-2021 By Restaurant

Wagamama has revealed that it is struggling to hire chefs at around fifth of its restaurants as a result of Brexit immigration restrictions.

Wagamama owner reports 'encouraging sales recovery' since reopening

25-May-2021 By Restaurant

Wagamama traded at around 85% of its comparable 2019 sales levels from the around 130 of its restaurants that were open for outdoor trading, according to brand owner The Restaurant Group (TRG).

Emma Woods to step down as Wagamama CEO

19-Apr-2021 By James McAllister

Wagamama chief executive Emma Woods has announced she plans to step down from the role and hand over to her internally appointed successor, Thomas Heier.

Wagamama boss Emma Woods scoops top prize at Retailers' Retailer Awards

12-Mar-2021 By Restaurant

Wagamama CEO Emma Woods has been named Retailers’ Retailer of the Year 2021 at a virtual ceremony last night (11 March).

The Restaurant Group looks to raise £175m to grow its Wagamama and pub brands as reopening beckons

10-Mar-2021 By Restaurant

The Restaurant Group (TRG) is looking to raise £175m as part of its ‘Restructured, Recapitalised and Ready for Relaunch’ plans.

The Restaurant Group announces new debt finance as its burns through £5.5m a month in lockdown

02-Mar-2021 By Restaurant

Wagamama and Frankie and Benny's operator The Restaurant Group (TRG) has revealed that it has a 'cash burn rate' of £5.5m per four-week period during lockdown.

The Restaurant Group reports 'very encouraging trading' in interim results

06-Oct-2020 By Restaurant

The Restaurant Group says it has experienced very encouraging trading since reopening its estate post lockdown and that its response to the Coronavirus pandemic has resulted in a ‘higher quality, diversified estate’.

Wagamama announces double closure following business review

21-Jul-2020 By James McAllister

Wagamama is to permanently close two of its London sites, including its 'noodle lab' in Soho.

The Restaurant Group secures £50m Government loan

10-Jul-2020 By Restaurant

Wagamama and Frankie and Benny's owner The Restaurant Group has secured a loan of £50m through the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CLBILS) as it looks to increase flexibility in its banking facilities.

Wagamama to reopen with sliding screens to help create a safe communal vibe

02-Jul-2020 By Georgia Cronin

Wagamama will reopen four of its restaurants in the coming days to trial its new sliding screen safety feature.

Wagamama could take up to nine months to reopen entire estate

08-Jun-2020 By James McAllister

Wagamama CEO Emma Woods has said it could take 'six or nine months' for the chain's restaurant estate to fully reopen.

TRG increases banking facilities and slashes executive pay

06-Apr-2020 By Joe Lutrario

The Restaurant Group (TRG) has announced a raft of measures designed to get it through the ongoing Coronavirus crisis, including more flexible banking facilities and executive pay cuts.

Wagamama plans 3-5 more delivery kitchens

26-Feb-2020 By Sophie Witts

The Restaurant Group (TRG) is planning to open three to five standalone Wagamama delivery kitchens this year.

Wagamama continues to see sales climb

25-Nov-2019 By James McAllister

Wagamama’s saw turnover increase 11% to £92.6m in the 13 weeks to 29 September 2019, up from £83.4m in the same period last year.

Wagamama to launch recipe box partnership with Gousto

20-Sep-2019 By James McAllister

Wagamama has signed a six-month partnership with Gousto to supply four of the restaurant chain’s signature dishes in recipe box format from next week (24 September).

Wagamama serves up 12% sales growth

04-Jan-2019 By Stefan Chomka

Wagamama recorded double-digit sales growth in the months leading up to its purchase, according to its latest figures.

Alan Yau: food delivery will "grow and grow"

27-Sep-2018 By Stefan Chomka

The market for restaurant food delivery will become as big and as sophisticated as the restaurant sector, according to serial restaurateur Alan Yau.

Industry 'hasn't seen the light' on tech

14-Nov-2017 By Mark Wingett

Many restaurant groups have “not seen the light” when it comes to technology, despite the huge potential for improving efficiency, according to Wagamama customer director Emma Woods.

Wagamama's 'noodle lab' lets diners try and review a menu of unseen dishes

13-Oct-2017 By Georgia Bronte

Wagamama has launched ‘noodle lab’, a new test kitchen allowing customers to preview and give feedback on new dishes before they hit the national menu.

Yau comes out restaurant 'retirement' for third time to launch Yamabahce

15-Aug-2017 By Stefan Chomka

Alan Yau is making yet another return to the restaurant scene with a new Marylebone restaurant called Yamabahce opening in September.

The Way of the Noodle: How Wagamama is going global

13-Oct-2016 By Mark Wingett

After two decades at the top of its game, Wagamama hit a period of stagnation. Now, under the guidance of CEO David Campbell, the company once again has serious growth in its sights, both here and overseas. Could the noodle chain really be the first UK...

Wagamama makes moves to encourage diners to stay longer

11-May-2015 By Ruth Williams

Growing day parts and increasing evening dwell time forms the basis for Wagamama's latest evolution, according to global marketing and property director at Wagamama, Simon Cope. 

Alan Yau to launch Chinese gastropub in Soho

20-Aug-2013 By Luke Nicholls

Wagamama and Hakkasan founder Alan Yau is planning to open a new Chinese gastropub concept in Soho, having acquired The Endurance Pub on Berwick Street.

Former Wagamama chief exec Ian Neill invests in K10 restaurant

19-Nov-2012 By Emma Eversham

Ian Neill, former chief executive and chairman at Wagamama, has joined venture capitalist Chrysalis VCT in investing £1m in modern Japanese restaurant K10 with a view to helping the business expand further. 

IDEAS FROM YOUR PEERS

Children’s concierge, healthy eating and kids activity packs: How to target the family market more effectively

13-Aug-2012 By Luke Nicholls

As an increasing number of hospitality businesses are redefining their children’s offerings in a bid to boost business, BigHospitality evaluates the effectiveness of the Children’s Concierge service at Millennium & Copthorne Hotels, a new healthy...

Alan Yau to launch Naamyaa, all-day Thai café concept, in London

18-Jul-2012 By Joe Lutrario

Wagamama and Hakkasan founder Alan Yau is set to launch Naamyaa, a sister restaurant brand to Busaba Eathai with a more approachable, all-day focused Thai dining style, this autumn in London.

Wagamama plans “aggressive” expansion to 300 UK restaurants

24-May-2011 By Becky Paskin

Wagamama has announced plans to ramp up its expansion within the UK to 300 sites at a rate of 20 per year, focusing mainly on London and the South East.