WAGAMAMA is opening its first Swiss restaurant this month as the chain continues its international expansion.
The hugely successful casual noodle chain - founded by Alan Yau - is a three-time winner of Most Popular London Restaurant by the influential Zagat Survey.
With more than 50 sites already feeding thousands in the UK, 2008 will also see Wagamama’s opening in Egypt, building on the back of recent debuts in the US and Cyprus.
SV-Group AV signed the franchise agreement for the 190 cover restaurant in Winterthus, Switzerland, and is just one of the franchisees who operate more than 28 international branches.
Other countries currently enjoying the signature noodles include Australia, Turkey, Dubai, New Zealand and Denmark.
Lion Capital, the private equity company behind Wagamama, has retained ownership of the expanding chain despite recent negotiations with potential buyers because, it is believed, a valuation could not be agreed on.
The buyout situation arose after a £225 million valuation proved unpopular and a planned flotation was postponed.