What DINING INNOVATION does

DINING INNOVATION (株式会社ダイニングイノベーション) is a Tokyo-headquartered, privately held multi-brand restaurant group founded in 2013 that operates and franchises a portfolio of 18+ Japanese-focused restaurant concepts across 14 countries and 549 stores as of 2026. Its brand portfolio spans yakiniku/BBQ (Yakiniku LIKE, KINTAN, KINTAN Buffet, Kotetsu), shabu-shabu hot pot (SHABURI, LET US), udon (TSURUTONTAN), yakitori (SMILE/Sumire, Ichomae), sushi (SUSHI Aoi), Italian (VANSAN), Korean (Nakchichan), seafood izakaya (SHIOSAI), soba (JINENJO AN), medicinal noodles (Cheepao Maratan), and specialty concepts, covering price points from affordable fast-casual to premium. The group serves individual consumers, families, and time-constrained urban professionals through both directly owned subsidiaries (e.g., Sumire, VANSAN, Yakiniku Like, Let Us, Jinenjo-an in Japan; Dining Innovation USA/Hawaii/New York/California in the US; Dining Innovation UK; PT. Inovasi Kuliner Indonesia in Indonesia; Dining Innovation Asia-Pacific headquartered in Singapore with a Taiwan branch) and franchise partners.

Revenue is generated through two primary streams: direct restaurant sales (transactional food and beverage revenue from company-operated locations) and franchise fees and royalties from FC partners, with the group actively recruiting franchisees and soliciting real estate partnerships across all brand concepts. The company is led by Chairman/CEO Nishiyama Tomoyoshi (founder) and Representative Director Matsumiya Hidetake (former Reins International/Gyu-Kaku executive who joined in 2016), supported by a management team with extensive prior F&B operating experience including scaling Reins International's shabu-shabu business to 300 stores and building a ~¥10B EBITDA US yakiniku operation. Underlying technology is conventional restaurant operations with no proprietary platform; marketing is executed through country-specific social media, websites, and franchise recruitment channels. Geographic expansion has been the primary growth engine, with notable milestones including 100 overseas stores by November 2021, Saudi Arabia entry in July 2023 (12th country, 400-store milestone), and Australia entry by 2026 (14th country, 549 stores).

Name

DINING INNOVATION

Legal name

株式会社 ダイニングイノベーション (Kabushiki Kaisha Dining Innovation)

Website

https://dining-innovation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

DINING INNOVATION is a Tokyo-based private restaurant group that operates and franchises 18+ Japanese-cuisine brands (yakiniku, shabu-shabu, udon, sushi, yakitori, Italian) across 549 stores in 14 countries, serving individual diners, families, and urban professionals through direct operations and franchise partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Japanese Restaurant Group

NAICS

Limited-Service Restaurants (722513)

SIC

Retail-Eating Places (5812), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

Ethnic & Regional Cuisine Restaurants (THAFACAD)

Keywords

• Japanese restaurant franchise
• Yakiniku BBQ dining
• Shabu-shabu restaurant
• Multi-brand restaurant group
• Restaurant franchise operations

Headquarters

HQ city

Shibuya

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Direct Restaurant Sales: Revenue from directly operated restaurant locations across multiple brands including Yakiniku LIKE, KINTAN, SHABURI, VANSAN, and specialty concepts. Customers pay per-visit for food and beverage consumption.
2. Franchise Fees and Royalties: Income from franchise partners (FC stores) who pay franchise fees and ongoing royalties for the right to operate brands under the Dining Innovation umbrella. The company actively recruits franchise owners across all brand concepts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

DINING INNOVATION operates a multi-brand Japanese restaurant portfolio spanning yakiniku/BBQ, shabu-shabu, sushi, udon, yakitori, Italian, Korean cuisine, and specialty concepts through 18+ brands across 14 countries and 549 stores. The company runs directly managed restaurants and licenses its brands to franchise partners, generating revenue from consumer food and beverage sales and from franchise fees and royalties.

Product overview

DINING INNOVATION is a restaurant group operating a diverse portfolio of 18+ restaurant brands across Japan and 14 countries with 549 stores. The company's brands span multiple Japanese cuisine categories including yakiniku/BBQ (Yakiniku Like, KINTAN, KINTAN Buffet, Kotetsu), shabu-shabu hot pot (SHABURI, LET US), sushi (SUSHI Aoi), udon (TSURUTONTAN), yakitori/chicken (SMILE/Sumire, TORICOYA, Ichomae), Italian (VANSAN), Korean cuisine (Nakchichan), soba (JINENJO AN), seafood (SHIOSAI), Genghis Khan lamb (YOHACHI), medicinal soup noodles (Cheepao Maratan), and casual yakiniku (Tetchan). The group operates through both company-owned and franchise models, with brands present in Japan, USA, UK, Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Taiwan, Philippines, China, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, and Australia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Yakiniku Like (焼肉ライク): Individual portions BBQ fast-food concept with smokeless roaster, allowing solo dining
• SHABURI (しゃぶ里)
• KINTAN (金舌)
• KINTAN Buffet
• VANSAN (バンサン)
• SUSHI Aoi (寿司あおい)
• TSURUTONTAN (つるとんたん)
• SMILE/SUMIRE (すみれ)
• LET US (れたす)
• Jinenjo-an (じねんじょ庵)
• BISTRO toricoya (鶏ビストロTORICOYA)
• Cheepao Maratan (七宝麻辣湯)
• Yakitori Sakaba Ichomae (やきとり酒場一鳥前)
• Yakinikuya Tetchan (ちゃん系カウンター焼肉)
• Sakanaya Natural Stand SHIOSAI (魚屋ナチュラルスタンド 潮騒)
• JINGISUKAN YOHACHI (ジンギスカン羊八)
• nakchichan (韓国料理 ナッチャン)
• Yakiniku Genghis Khan Kotetsu (焼肉ジンギスカン こてつ)

Products and services

• Yakiniku Like (焼肉ライク) Individual seating fast-casual yakiniku restaurant with smokeless roasters, simple menu of grilled meat and rice served within 3 minutes of ordering; targets solo diners and time-pressed urban customers.
• LET US (れたす) All-you-can-eat shabu-shabu restaurant with individual hot pots, multiple broth types, premium vegetables and quality meats in unlimited dining format.
• SHABURI (しゃぶ里) All-you-can-eat shabu-shabu restaurant with Wagyu beef, vegetables, Japanese dishes and soft drinks; each guest has their own hot pot with various soup selections.
• KINTAN (金舌) Premium Japanese yakiniku specializing in Kin no Gyutan Shio (gold salted beef tongue) and Wagyu sirloin prepared via Yaki-Shabu-Shabu method, with carefully selected meats and sides.
• KINTAN Buffet All-you-can-eat Japanese BBQ buffet offering quality meats and Japanese cuisine at affordable prices, with DIY grilling and sauce options.
• SUSHI Aoi (寿司あおい) Traditional sushi restaurant where skilled itamae prepare authentic sushi using top-quality ingredients comparable to Ginza establishments in a relaxed atmosphere.
• SMILE / Sumire (すみれ) Yakitori (grilled chicken skewer) restaurant chain with both domestic Japan and overseas locations; offers counter, box seats, tatami, private rooms, and terrace seating.
• VANSAN (バンサン) Casual Italian restaurant chain with extensive tapas-style small dishes (30+ varieties) and various seating including terrace, private rooms and sofa seating.
• BISTRO Toricoya (鶏ビストロTORICOYA) Chicken bistro featuring PreLotti (whole chicken roasted in stone oven) and fluffy French omelets in a West Coast American rustic setting with open terrace seating.
• TSURUTONTAN (つるんとん) Japanese udon restaurant serving artisan-crafted authentic udon noodles in large bowls, plus sashimi and tempura in a refined Japanese modern atmosphere.
• Cheepao Maratan (七宝麻辣湯) Medicinal soup noodle restaurant specializing in Ma La Tang (spicy numbing soup) glass noodles with a focus on beauty, health and 'medicinal food homology'.
• Yakitori Sakaba Ichomae (やきとり酒場一鳥前) Yakitori izakaya (Japanese bar) serving grilled chicken skewers in a comfortable, casual dining atmosphere.
• Yakiniku Tetchan (ちゃん系カウンター焼肉) Counter-style yakiniku restaurant where meat is cut to order for each customer right before serving in a casual, home-like atmosphere.
• SHIOSAI (魚屋ナチュラルスタンド潮騒) Seafood izakaya created by sushi professionals, featuring high-quality fresh seafood appetizers and sushi as a closing course.
• JINGISUKAN YOHACHI (ジンギスカン羊八) Genghis Khan (lamb BBQ) restaurant specializing in rare Hokkaido-sourced lamb from local farmers, with varying flavors by farm and fattening method.
• Nakchichan (韓国料理 ナッチャン) Korean cuisine restaurant offering authentic Korean dishes and drinks at reasonable prices in a friendly neighborhood setting.
• Yakiniku Genghis Khan Kotetsu (焼肉ジンギスカン こてつ) Yakiniku and Genghis Khan restaurant offering carefully selected premium products with a minimal menu, in a nostalgic Showa-era atmosphere.
• JINENJO AN (自然薯庵) Soba restaurant with handmade soba noodles made daily, 10 dipping sauce choices, mountain yam dishes using natural sweet potatoes, and vegetable skewers wrapped in pork.
• Franchise Program (Franchise/FC Partnerships) Franchise licensing program enabling entrepreneurs and regional master franchise partners to operate Dining Innovation brands in target locations across Japan and 13 other countries, in exchange for franchise fees and ongoing royalties.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 October 2024Dining Innovation Group signed a basic agreement to contribute used cooking oil for domestic Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) manufacturing in Japan. This partnership focuses on recycling waste cooking oil into aircraft fuel, demonstrating the company's commitment to sustainability and environmental initiatives.
• 幸楽苑 Holdings (Kourakuen Holdings)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 March 2019Joint development project with Kourakuen Holdings - the first store opened as 'Matsudo Minami Hanashimacho Store'. This collaboration represents a strategic partnership for suburban restaurant model development, combining Dining Innovation's Japanese dining expertise with Kourakuen's fast-food experience.
• 幸楽苑HD (Kourakuen HD)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 December 2018Franchise contract signed with Kourakuen HD for郊外モデル (suburban model) joint development project. This partnership aimed to leverage both companies' strengths in restaurant operations and real estate development for suburban locations.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Zensho Holdings: Japan's largest restaurant company by sales, operating Sukiya gyudon chain and numerous other brands globally. Comparable multi-concept Japanese restaurant operator with international expansion and M&A-driven growth strategy.
• Toridoll Holdings: Japanese restaurant group operating Marugame Seimen udon chain globally with 800+ overseas stores. Directly comparable in operating Japanese cuisine restaurants internationally, including in markets where Dining Innovation competes (USA, Southeast Asia).
• Yoshinoya Holdings: Japanese gyudon fast-food chain with global presence in USA, China, and Southeast Asia. Comparable Japanese restaurant operator with international franchise model and focus on affordable everyday dining.
• Skylark Holdings: Major Japanese restaurant group operating multiple casual dining brands (Gust, Bamiyan, Jonathan's). Comparable multi-brand portfolio operator in Japanese foodservice with extensive domestic store base and international ambitions.

Direct peers

• Pepper Lunch: Japanese fast-casual steak-on-a-hot-plate concept with global franchise presence across Asia, USA, and Middle East. Closely comparable to Yakiniku LIKE as a Japanese-origin fast-casual concept targeting solo and quick-service diners internationally.
• Ichiran Ramen: Japanese tonkotsu ramen chain with global presence across Asia, USA, and Europe. Comparable as a Japanese cuisine restaurant operator with international franchise expansion strategy and solo-dining format innovations similar to Yakiniku LIKE.
• Genki Sushi: Japanese sushi restaurant chain with international locations across Asia, USA, and Hawaii. Comparable as a Japanese cuisine restaurant operator with international franchise expansion, overlapping with Dining Innovation's Hawaii and Southeast Asia operations.
• Reins International (Gyu-Kaku): Japan's largest yakiniku restaurant chain operator and the direct predecessor company where much of Dining Innovation's leadership team (CEO Matsumiya, CIO Inoue, CAO Fukuzumi) previously built their careers. Operates Gyu-Kaku global franchise with similar Japanese BBQ focus and multi-country presence.

Emerging players

• Watami (CoCo Ichibanya parent): Japanese izakaya restaurant chain with international expansion in China and Southeast Asia. Comparable multi-cuisine Japanese restaurant operator with regional master franchise approach similar to Dining Innovation's structure.

Regional players

• Hotto Motto: Japanese takeout bento chain primarily focused on domestic Japanese market. Comparable in operating Japanese cuisine restaurants, though focused on Japan-domestic takeout rather than Dining Innovation's dine-in international expansion model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DINING INNOVATION