Over 130 restaurants from across the country vied this year to be named UK's Best Wagamama at the Wagamama company conference at the beautiful Principal Hotel in Manchester. Competing venues included Heathrow Terminal 3, Gatwick 1 and 2, O2 Arena and The Royal Festival Hall. The Plymouth Wagamama, which opened four years ago at the historic Royal William Yard, won two of the top awards of the night:

Best Restaurant - based on:

• up on like for like sales
• up on budget sales
• brand leading average spend per head
• brand leading key performance indicators
• brand leading customer satisfaction.

Best Guest Feedback - based on:

• scoring the highest positive customer feedback score after guests have dined with Wagamama.

Plymouth Wagamama has held the #1 spot for an entire year. Manager, Greg Hrechanyk, was also nominated General Manager of the Year - on a shortlist of 12 nominees from across the brand. Wagamama Regional Director, Ashley Hamilton, said of the epic win:

"It's not all about sales, it's how you run the restaurant and most importantly how the team performs - congratulations to Greg and all of the team at Plymouth Wagamama."

Greg Hrechany, who joined Wagamama two years ago, said:

"These awards are a true testament to the hard work and dedication the Plymouth Wagamama team has put in. Two years years ago things were not so positive. But we hired a like-minded team of Plymouth-based brand ambassadors - many of whom went to Plymouth University. We built a stable team with a passion for customer service, engaging with customers and spreading Wagamama love throughout Plymouth. We are absolutely delighted!"

Emily Handslip, Director of Urban Splash, developers of award-winning Royal William Yard said:

"We are thrilled that Wagamama has been voted best in the UK - against tough competition. It shows that the Yard is a brilliant place to build a successful business - and also to come to enjoy the best food and customer service in the West. A massive to congratulations to Greg and his talented team."

After the success with Royal William Yard, Wagamama will be opening a second site in the new leisure complex in Drake Circus sometime late 2018.