Los Angeles — Umami Burger has partnered with Japan-based Medeiros Holdings Co., Ltd., to open 10 Umami Burger restaurants across Japan over the next 5 years. The agreement is Umami Burger’s first expansion outside the United States. The first restaurant is expected to open in Tokyo by the end of 2016 with future locations to follow in Kanagawa, Osaka, Aichi, Hyogo, Kyoto and Fukuoko prefectures.
“Umami Burger was created around the Japanese taste concept of ‘umami.’ We took inspiration for the design of our restaurants from other elements of Japanese culture. Thanks to Medeiros Holdings, Umami Burger is finally coming home to its roots,” says Adam Fleischman, founder of Umami Burger.
The Japanese expansion announcement comes as Umami Burger recently opened a new Santa Monica, Calif., restaurant on June 20, 2016. Later this summer, Umami Burger will open its second Chicago-area restaurant in the West Loop neighborhood. Umami Burger also plans to announce further domestic and international expansion in the coming months.
Named “Burger of the Year” by GQ Magazine, Umami Burger creates unique burgers highlighting the fifth savory taste sense called, umami. Just like sweet, sour, salty and bitter, Umami is a taste sensation found in certain ingredients that helps make your meal even more enjoyable. A global phenomenon, Umami Burger has a devoted cult following among food lovers around the world.
This is Medeiros Holdings’ first foray into restaurants, having already introduced global fashion brands — such as Barney’s New York — to Japan through its affiliate companies, P&T Trading Co., Ltd. and Visionize Co., Ltd.
Founded by Fleischman in Los Angeles in 2009, Umami Burger currently has more than 20 locations open in California, New York, Illinois and Nevada with additional locations planned around the world. For more information, visit umamiburger.com.
SOURCE: Umami Burger