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

Published Mon, Jul 25, 2022 · 05:50 AM

DESPITE domestic and international restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic, Singapore restaurant operator Japan Foods Holding : 5OI 0% 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.

Under his leadership, Japan Foods has expanded its business in not just the pandemic but also downturns such as the Asian…