Popular chain Wagamama has defended a big change to its menu after facing a backlash from fans.
Wagamama is known for its accessible casual dining offering a wide range of Asian cuisine for reasonable prices.
The brand has chains all over the UK and internationally, with its consistency and good quality rendering it a favourite.
But there was one aspect of its menu which Wagamama has become particularly well known for and which has reinforced its popularity for people on a particular diet.
Advert
This is of course the wide range of veggie and especially plant-based options, which Wagamama made a point of offering when it became the first large UK chain to make half of its menu vegan or vegetarian.
However, the chain has seen a backlash after announcing changes to its menu.
These include cutting a number of its vegan options, such as the beloved 'Vegatsu'.
Advert
Critics have taken aim at the restaurant chain, including vegan food influencer @vegansoph.
In a post on her social media page, she captioned a video: “In case you missed it, Wagamama released a new menu and (unsurprisingly) the vegan options were significantly reduced.
“Bye-bye vegan chicken, vegatsu and corn dogs. Considering they were the first UK chain restaurant to offer equal parts plant-based dishes and meat dishes, this is incredibly disappointing.”
She added: “As a vegan influencer, I’ve noticed the decline in vegan options in restaurants and supermarkets. Yes, I always encourage shopping small and supporting independents, but when big names take away vegan options, they’re also taking away the opportunity for non-vegans to choose plant-based meals.”
Advert
But Wagamama has defended the decision, with Andy Hornby, chief executive of Wagamama owners, The Restaurant Group (TRG), saying that it is 'following customer behaviour'.
He added that the large vegan offering simply wasn't bringing in enough diners, but insisted that 'there's no strategic change' about continuing to have strong vegan offerings.
The menu's new structure will place more emphasis on customer's being able to customise their meals.
Advert
“I don’t think you will find another classic quality casual dining brand with a vegan range as broad as this,” he said.
“In each core category we have tried to make sure we have not just got a vegan option but a leading vegan option… so the amount of vegan sales goes up rather than down.”
FOODbible has reached out to Wagamama for comment.
Kit Roberts