Wagamama
Coverage focuses on the performance, expansion, and brand strategy of the UK’s leading pan-Asian casual dining chain, known for its open kitchens, communal seating, and fast-casual service model. Reporting includes new site openings, delivery and click-and-collect rollouts, vegan and seasonal menu innovation, tech-enabled ordering, and group-level developments under parent company The Restaurant Group. Insight is designed for operators tracking high-volume branded dining, consumer health trends, and competitive movement across the mid-market segment.
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Jun- 2018 -29 JuneFeatures
The rise of the delivery-only kitchen
In today’s increasingly competitive restaurant market, delivery presents potential for growth. The lure of increased brand awareness and extended the customer base, while utilising surplus kitchen capacity, logically translates into opportunity to drive sales. As delivery becomes an expected part of the offer, operators need to understand how to effectively bring…
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6 JuneBusiness
Busaba Eathai closes all restaurants outside London
Busaba Eathai has now closed all of its branches outside of London after reporting pre-tax losses of nearly £18m. The Thai restaurant chain’s only remaining restaurant outside of the capital was St Albans. The chain also acquired premises in Leeds in 2016 but financial woes and recent closures cast doubt…
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5 JuneBusiness
Wagamama set to look for new owner
So-called pan-Asian food chain Wagamama has appointed Goldman Sachs to “review strategic growth options for the business” as it looks to expand into the US. It has been reported that the options put forward by Goldman Sachs will include a potential sale of the company. Wagamama said in a statement:…
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May- 2018 -16 MayFeatures
How Sodexo is working to de-institutionalise school meals
School dinners have come a long way in the last few years, thanks to Jamie Oliver’s shake up and the introduction of the School Food Plan and School Food Standards – yet there is still a stigma and barriers attached to school meals. Lunchtimes provide an important break in a…
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10 MayGovernment
Named and shamed: Underpaid hospitality staff among 200,000 to receive £15.6m back pay
HMRC has identified £15.6m in pay owed to more than 200,000 of the UK’s lowest paid workers, following an investigation from 2017 to 2018. This was an increase from the £10.9m that was owed to 98,000 workers in the previous year. Earlier this year, Wagamama, TGI Fridays, Starbucks and Subway…
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Apr- 2018 -23 AprilCatering Companies
Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group chief financial officer steps down
Crispin Holder, the chief financial officer of Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group has stepped down today after he was brought on board to steer the ailing firm through a company voluntary arrangement (CVA). A CVA was agreed earlier this year for the closure of 12 UK restaurants, alongside the group losing…
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Mar- 2018 -23 MarchRestaurants
Carluccio’s seeks private equity buyer following profit drop
Italian restaurant chain Carluccio’s is looking for a private equity buyer after appointing advisers KPMG to assess its options. The Financial Times reported that KPMG had approached Wagamama owner Duke Street and Pret a Manger owner Bridgepoint over a possible buyout. It has also sought turnaround specialists and private equity…
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