Wagamama leaving New Zealand

Wednesday, 3 July 2019

Wagamamas have dropped plastic straws world-wide after the WCC initiative which revealed their impact on the local harbour.

The Westernised-Japanese restaurant chain Wagamama is quitting New Zealand.

A statement on Wagamama's New Zealand website said the chain's time here had come to an end but it hoped to return someday.

'We are very sorry that our time in New Zealand has, for now, come to an end. We'd like to raise our chopsticks [and] thank all our loyal customers who have visited us at Wagamama New Zealand over the years.

'We hope one day to be back on your shores.'

**READ MORE:

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* Wagamama owner refuses offer for Dux site

* Business owner has 'no idea' who her new neighbour will be**

The UK-based chain garnered media attention last year for ditching plastic straws across its 145 restaurants around the world.

The Westernised-Japanese restaurant chain Wagamama is closing its doors in New Zealand.

Wagamama has been contacted.

The 27-year-old franchise business had a restaurant in Wellington, and three in Auckland.

While the New Market, Sylvia Park and New Lynn stores have closed, the Wellington store has rebranded to Mama Noodle House.

In recent months the Wagamama Wellington restaurant received some harsh reviews on its Facebook page.

One customer said they had 'endless bad service' and an 'inability to work proactively or use initiative across the wait staff', while another said the seats were sticky and that they would never visit again.

In January, one customer wrote the place was 'not good value for money'.