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Japan Foods’ halal outlets dish out success

CEO Kenichi Takahashi wants to double the new Muslim-friendly segment’s revenue share to 40%

Annabeth Leow

Annabeth Leow

Published Mon, Jul 25, 2022 · 05:50 AM
    • Japan Foods broke into the halal market with its Tokyo Shokudo ramen brand, which opened in Tampines Mall in November 2020. “How to make a good taste, same as non-halal brands, is our most challenging point,” said chief executive and chairman Kenichi Takahashi.
    • Japan Foods broke into the halal market with its Tokyo Shokudo ramen brand, which opened in Tampines Mall in November 2020. “How to make a good taste, same as non-halal brands, is our most challenging point,” said chief executive and chairman Kenichi Takahashi. PHOTO: JASON QUAH, ST

    DESPITE domestic and international restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic, Singapore restaurant operator Japan Foods Holding turned a profit and stayed debt-free – and even expanded its store count — with the help of a lucrative foray into the halal dining segment.

    Does the management’s approach sound like a traditional way to run a business?

    “Yeah, I don’t think so. Not traditional,” said its colourful chief executive and chairman, Kenichi Takahashi, who founded Japan Foods in 1997 to open an Ajisen Ramen franchise in Singapore.

    Toplinejapan foods holdingJapanese FoodSingapore F&B

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