Global Japanese noodle group Marugame Udon has opened its first European restaurant – in the Liverpool Street area of London – with active support from NFS Technology, provider of the international Epos platform, Aloha.
Four more sites are to follow soon – including one at the O2 in the capital – for this highly successful organisation, which operates more than 800 restaurants around the world.
Marugame Udon Europe CEO Keith Bird says: “We selected NFS and their Aloha restaurant technology after an extensive tender process, with solution functionality, integration potential and customer service as our key priorities.
“NFS went beyond the norm to partner with Marugame, providing time and expertise as well as their commitment to develop a customised solution for our business, incorporating best in class epos, kitchen automation, card payment and loyalty.
“Integration support and flexibility were important ingredients in making this technology project with NFS a success. We are now embarking on a rollout plan in the UK, and we will be looking at European expansion in 2022.”
Luis Desouza, CEO of NFS Technology, said the company was delighted to be working with Marugame.
“Working with the Marugame team has been an exciting and fulfilling experience for us here at NFS,” he said.
“They took on board many of our suggestions on technology and integration, and in return and we have been challenged by them on the right things, for example, the innovative Marugame Loyalty Scheme.
“The lockdown gave both parties the time to focus on getting the strategy absolutely right and on developing an implementation plan to structure the technology solution to scale in the UK and Europe.
“As a company working with a number of growing brands, it is a privilege to be part of something bigger, where technology, customer experience and operating efficiency are key elements of a clear growth plan.”
To celebrate the launch of the first new London site, Marugame has created some dishes unique to the Liverpool Street restaurant, and says: “Udon is an everyday reminder of the beauty in simplicity for everyone.”
Chris Cartmell, NFS Technology Head of Sales and Marketing said: “We’re proud of this project, which required a thorough due diligence process, complete attention to detail and a drive to ensure great operating efficiency while maintaining a unique company culture.”