TORIDOLL Holdings is set to take full control of Marugame Udon, marking the exit of Capdesia Group from its investment in the Japanese fast-casual restaurant chain’s European operations.
This strategic move comes four years after Capdesia partnered with Toridoll to introduce Marugame Udon to the UK market.
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Despite Capdesia’s exit, Toridoll will maintain its collaborative relationship with the group, continuing as co-investors in ventures including Fulham Shore, which is known for its dining brands Franco Manca and The Real Greek.
The latest transition will see finance director Sam McIntyre stepping up to lead Marugame Udon, succeeding chief executive and Capdesia operating partner Keith Bird.
Bird has been instrumental in the brand’s UK expansion, overseeing the establishment of ten sites since 2021.
The Caterer quoted Bird as saying: “The dedication and passion of our team have been instrumental in establishing the brand and creating a solid foundation for future growth. I am confident that under Sam McIntyre’s leadership, Marugame Udon will continue to thrive and expand and deliver on its mission to bring udon to all.”
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By GlobalDataFounded in the city of Kakogawa, Japan in 2000, Marugame Udon has expanded its global presence to more than 1,000 locations across Asia, the US and Russia.
The brand, which offers udon noodle dishes, katsu sandos, rice bowls, salads and sides, made its London debut in 2021, signalling the beginning of a broader European expansion.
Toridoll Holdings executive vice-president and chief operating officer Takashi Sugiyama said: “We are grateful to Capdesia, Keith and their respective teams for their efforts in launching our flagship brand in the UK successfully.
“In this journey, several new best practices have been developed jointly for the benefit of Marugame Udon globally in areas such as systems, people, culture, restaurant design, marketing and CRM [customer relations management]. These improvements have positioned us for future growth and to continue with our UK and European expansion ambitions.”
Founded by Takaya Awata in 1985, Toridoll Holdings has a portfolio of 1,700 restaurants across 30 brands and 40 countries, with an annual system revenue of £1.2bn ($1.5bn).
The portfolio includes other European brands such as Shoryu and Wok to Walk.
