Yoshinoya Begins US Franchise Expansion

QSR magazine:

Yoshinoya, a Japanese restaurant company with more than 1,300 locations throughout the world and a history that began in a Tokyo fish market nearly 110 years ago, has announced 2 new appointments in a plan that will expand its base of 86 restaurants in the United States through nationwide franchising.

Oliver Cortes, who started with the company in 1981 as a cashier, has been appointed to president and CEO of Yoshinoya Franchise of North America Inc., which is based in Torrance, California. Scot Hobert, a former Subway executive, has been named vice president of franchise development and sales.

Like Panda Express, Wagamama, Pei Wei, and Mama Fu’s, Yoshinoya is among the pan-Asian concepts that continue to grow in popularity in the quick-service and fast-casual arenas. At the time of this report, 2 development agreements have been signed that will bring new Yoshinoya restaurants to Arizona and Nevada within the next year as part of ‘Yoshi’s’ franchise expansion plan, which offers both single franchise and territory agreements.

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