by Vijaylakshmi
Wagamama, a pan-Asian restaurant operator, announced its partnership with Travel Food Services (TFS), India’s growing travel food and retail company, which will see it enter India later this year, in response to significant demand for the brand in the country. Following the expansion, Wagamama will operate in 19 countries world-wide and continues to enjoy global appeal.
Wagamama will initially open in Mumbai Airport’s International Terminal with the ambition for further expansion in transport hubs across the country. Mumbai’s status as India’s financial hub, coupled with the airport’s connectivity across Europe, the Middle East and Asia, make it the ideal location to introduce Wagamama to new customers alongside travellers who are already familiar with the brand.
Wagamama is a hugely popular pan-Asian casual dining brand in the United Kingdom. Its success spans from its commitment to menu innovation, food quality and ensuring it delivers a consistent proposition to every single guest. It is recognised worldwide for its iconic dishes, including the grilled chicken ramen, firecracker and chicken katsu curry, and offers an evolving menu which caters to a range of dietary preferences, including 50% of its menu consisting of plant-based options. The move into the India market is the latest chapter in the incredible success of Wagamama. The story began in 1992 when it opened its first doors in London’s Bloomsbury. Inspired by fast-paced, Japanese ramen bars and a celebration of Asian food, Wagamama set out to create a unique way of eating: bringing fresh, nourishing flavours with customers sitting side by side on its iconic, egalitarian benches. India is an attractive market for Wagamama, with a fast-growing economy. Its population is large, diverse and has a rising middle class, with increasing disposable incomes and a desire to travel. It also has a predominantly youthful population, which is closely aligned with its core customer base, who have a preference for vegetarian options which Wagamama is renowned for.
Thomas Heier, CEO of Wagamama, said, “We are delighted to enter India later this year through our partnership with Travel Food Services, bringing our pan-Asian cuisine to a market where we anticipate significant demand. We look forward to working closely with TFS to scale our presence across India, as we continue our international expansion into exciting growth markets.”
