Cheshire-based fast food chain Wayback Burgers is continuing its international expansion by adding a franchise in Japan, the company’s first in Asia.
Wayback Burgers is opening a restaurant in Tokyo, Japan. The move is part of the company’s plans for international expansion, which includes possible developments in India, China, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
The company plans to open 60 restaurants over the next 20 years in Japan, company officials said. The Tokyo restaurant is located in the Omotesando neighborhood and features an outdoor seating area.
Through a partnership with Next Meats Co., a Tokyo-based company that creates alternatives to meat products, the new Wayback Burgers Omotesando location will also include a menu of meat-free dishes for vegetarian and vegan customers.
The new restaurant launched through an agreement with WB Burgers Asia Inc. (WBBA), the publicly traded holding company of WB Burgers Japan Co. Ltd.
Wayback Burgers currently has more than 166 locations in 34 states and other countries such as Brunei, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Pakistan, The Netherlands and Manitoba, Canada and Ireland.
Through the international franchise agreements, like the new one in Japan, the company plans to open in 38 provinces or countries, including the Middle East, Northern Africa, South Africa, Bangladesh, Ireland, Germany and Canada.
Company officials said overall sales were up by 26% year-on-year in 2021.