Zuma and Roka to go international

Rainer Becker's Japanese eateries Zuma and Roka are set for international expansion, with five new restaurants in the pipeline, Caterer can reveal.

Group owner Arjun Waney and Becker will open the second Zuma in Hong Kong's new luxury development, the Landmark, this spring. The 150-seat restaurant will also have a 120-seat mezzanine bar area. Becker said: "Business is booming in Hong Kong. It's a very dramatic site and an exciting opportunity."

This will be followed by a third Zuma in Istanbul and Rokas in Las Vegas, Dubai and Scottsdale, Arizona.

Roka London's head chef Nic Watt will become chief operating officer, with responsibility to roll out Roka as a global franchise.

Serial business entrepreneur Waney initially set Zuma up as a "retirement hobby".

By Emily Manson

E-mail your comments to [Emily Manson](emily.manson@rbi.co.uk?subject=Zuma and Roka to to international) here.

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