A senior director at Wagamama, Paul O'Farrell, has left the UK-based restaurant group, M&C understands. It is thought the long-standing executive may have decided to step down in order to pursue his own venture within the restaurant sector.
O'Farrell served as commercial director before taking the position of chief operating officer of Wagamama Inc, the group’s fledgling American operation.
He led its expansion across the Atlantic, opening two restaurants in Boston and securing a third location, in Washington.
Steve Hill, chief executive, told M&C Report that O’Farrell’s departure was completely amicable. He said: “I think that Paul just decided he had achieved everything that he had set out to do. We are all still good friends and he is still a shareholder in the business.
“I’m sure he will probably re-emerge in the restaurant sector, at some point.”
Separately, Simon Gregory – Wagamama’s head of property – has also left the business. He joined the company in November 2006.
