Marugame Udon has announced plans to open 150 kitchens across Europe by 2027. The continued rollout will commence with six new U.K. 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 U.K. 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 favorite Sanuki udon kitchen estate in the U.K. will also see the brand open new branches in transport hubs for the first time with sites in 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, CEO of Marugame Udon Europe, said: “We have always set out to be a brand that is available to all in the U.K. 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 U.K. 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 U.K. 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.
