Wagamama to launch spin-off Mamago brand

15-Mar-2019 - Last updated on 26-Apr-2021 at 16:23 GMT

The Restaurant Group (TRG) has developed a grab-and-go spin-off of the Wagamama brand, which it will trial later this year.

TRG says the concept, which will be branded as Mamago, will offer a “newly developed Asian menu to capitalise on increased customer demand for convenience”.

The initial pilot, announced in TRG's financial results today (15 March), is planned for launch in the second half of 2019.

Wagamama was bought by TRG, which owns brands including Chiquito’s, Garfunkel’s and Frankie & Benny’s, in a £559m deal at the end of last year.

TRG says Wagamama’s like-for-like sales rose 9.1% in the the 12 weeks to 3 February 2019.

A further three to four new Wagamama restaurants are set to open this year, and TRG is planning to convert eight of its existing sites to the brand.

It will also extend its vegan menu and roll out further delivery-only Wagamama kitchens this year following the success of its trial in Deliveroo Editions in Battersea, London.

Wagamama has won a tender for a site in Heathrow Terminal 3, which is set to open in the second half of this year, and has secured a site in the planned redevelopment of Manchester airport which is due to launch in the first half of 2020.

TRG says it is also “exploring a variety of other airport opportunities” for the brand.