BBQ Opens Stores in Osaka and Saitama... Expands to 24 Locations in Japan

Genesis BBQ Group operates the Futagotamagawa branch store in the western Tokyo area of Japan. Photo by BBQ

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Hyewon] Genesis BBQ Group announced on the 24th that it is intensifying its attack on the Japanese dining market by consecutively opening three stores in Osaka Prefecture and Saitama Prefecture, Japan, following the United States and Taiwan.

BBQ opened its 22nd store, Oomiya Kadomachi Branch, on July 22, followed by the 23rd store, Elmoriguchi Branch, and last month, the 24th store, Sakai Teppoucho Branch.

The Oomiya Kadomachi Branch is located on the ground floor of a new shopping mall near Oomiya Station in Saitama City. The Elmoriguchi Branch is situated on the first floor above ground at El Moriguchi Station (subway) in Moriguchi City, adjacent to Osaka Prefecture, where there is a high flow of people. It is the fourth store in Osaka and is located in a major commercial area housing izakayas, cafes, and restaurants within the building.

The Sakai Teppoucho Branch is the fifth store in Osaka and is located in the Aeon Mall dining and food court area near the national road around Sakai City in the southern part. Both the Elmoriguchi Branch and Sakai Teppoucho Branch are fast casual dining restaurant stores.

BBQ has been expanding its stores in Japan since 2016. Currently, it operates a total of 24 stores, including nine in Tokyo, five in Osaka Prefecture, four in Nagawa Prefecture, three in Saitama Prefecture, and one each in Aichi, Chiba, and Shizuoka Prefectures.

A BBQ official said, “As OTT users increase, K-content such as 'Squid Game' and 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo' have sparked a Korean Wave frenzy, and PPLs in dramas like ‘Crash Landing on You’ and ‘Goblin’ conducted by BBQ are being credited with igniting the K-chicken craze in Japan,” adding, “With the transition to endemic, visits to stores by local Japanese customers are increasing, and not only locals but also foreign tourists visiting Japan are coming to taste K-chicken.”