Andrew Walker has been appointed as executive chairman at Vapiano.
Walker currently holds NED positions at Farmer J and private member’s sports club, the Roehampton Club.
He previously spent twelve years at Pret a Manger in roles such as UK managing director and head of operations, and has also had tenures at the Casual Dining Group, EAT and WatchHouse.
Vapiano reported an “incredibly strong” year of trading in 2023 and is targeting further expansion in London and beyond.
Last month, global marketing director Vikki O’Neill told MCA that the Germany-founded Italian-inspired restaurant chain’s fifth UK location in Paddington had performed “exceptionally well” despite the industrial strike action.
It comes as the group launches a new loyalty scheme through the ‘Vapiano Lovers’ app, offering an array of perks to diners including special offers, treats and a points system which will reward frequent visits.
“We’re driven to open more restaurants,” O’Neill said. “Paddington was half the size of our other sites, but locations are much more available in that size rather than the 350-cover locations we were previously targeting.”
