Real estate services firm Cushman and Wakefield (C&W) has been exclusively retained by Wagamama as part of the restaurant chain's "aggressive" expansion plans.

The Japanese-style noodle restaurant group - bought by Duke Street Capital in March - is looking to grow its UK estate from its current 71 locations to 300. It is expected that Wagamama will achieve its expansion aims by opening 20 new sites each year, which will be led by Chris Warren - head of C&W's leisure and restaurants team.

While the strategy will primarily focus on new locations in London and the south east, sites will be opened across the country. A total of 20 openings are planned by April 2012. Wagamama property director Sharon Cawthorne said: "Having been acquired by Duke Street Capital we are now able to put in place a far more aggressive expansion plan."