Printed from : The Leisure Media Co Ltd

23 Apr 2007


First US Wagamama opens in Boston
BY Tom Walker

First US Wagamama opens in Boston

Japanese noodle restaurant chain Wagamama has opened the first of its two US sites in Boston, Massachusetts.

The UK-based operator, owned by private equity group Lion Capital, will fund the £1m opening costs of the 133-cover restaurant out of its cash flow.

The company will open a second restaurant in the city later this year.

Unlike all other non-UK Wagamama restaurants – which operate under franchise agreements – the two new US sites will remain wholly owned from the UK.

Steve hill, Wagamama’s chief executive operator, said: “We are very encouraged to have signed two great locations, which represent a major move forward in respect of our future plans for expansion in the US.

“We are now working towards identifying a third location in Boston and thereafter will look to expand further throughout the east coast.”

Wagamama currently operates 65 restaurants – 43 in the UK and the rest in Europe, Australasia and Dubai.

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