Posted:25-October-2022
Marugame Udon Rolls Out Next Phase of European Expansion
Marugame Udon announces plans to open 150 kitchens across Europe by 2027. The continued roll out will commence with six new UK kitchens that are set to open by Spring 2023 including its first out-of-London site in Reading. Following six successful openings in the capital, the Japanese brand will launch further sites in UK locations including Bromley, Kensington, Liverpool Street Station, Reading, The Strand, and Waterloo.
Marugame Udon’s expansion will include launching its first regional site at the Oracle Shopping Centre in Reading plus its first sites located in South London and West London with kitchens opening in Bromley and Kensington. The growth of Japan's favourite Sanuki udon kitchen’s estate in the UK will also see the brand open new branches in transport hubs for the first time with sites launching into London Waterloo and Liverpool Street Stations. A third flagship kitchen will open at The Strand and will join Liverpool Street and the recently opened Oxford Circus location as one of the largest restaurants in Marugame Udon’s UK portfolio.
Keith Bird, Marugame Udon Europe CEO says “We have always set out to be a brand that is available to all in the UK and not solely focused on London, so it’s fantastic to see Marugame Udon grow across the country. We also have bold ambitions to become a household name in Europe and while we may not be as well known here as we are in Japan just yet, the opening of six new kitchens including our first UK regional site in Reading means that we are well on our way to achieving our mission to introduce udon to all.”
The growth in the number of Marugame Udon’s kitchens will create 300 jobs in the UK by February 2023 and a further 10,000 throughout the continent over the next five years. The growth to 150 will comprise a mix of company owned, and franchise kitchens as the brand starts to engage with potential partners for multi-unit franchise opportunities.
Marugame Udon made its UK and European debut in London last year with its flagship site off Liverpool Street, followed by five successful openings: The O2, Canary Wharf, St Christopher’s Place, Brent Cross, and Oxford Circus. Marugame Udon’s planned expansion will grow its UK estate to twelve restaurants as it continues its mission to introduce udon to all.
Marugame Udon Expansion Timeline
- ·Bromley - first neighbourhood site in South London set to open in mid-November 2022
- ·Waterloo - first location in a transport hub opening in late-November 2022
- ·Kensington - first neighbourhood site in West London set to open in January 2023
- ·Reading - first regional site that will open at the Oracle Shopping Centre in February 2023
- ·Liverpool Street Station - second location in a transport hub launching in mid-February 2023
- ·The Strand - third flagship kitchen opening in late-February 2023
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