Wayback Burgers has signed a deal with WB Burgers Asia Inc., a publicly traded holding company of WB Burgers Japan Co., to open 60 Wayback locations within 20 years. The first will debut next year in the Tokyo area, according to a company press release.
Wayback is also partnering with Next Meats Co., a Tokyo-based producer of alternatives to meat products. Both companies, led by Koichi Ishizuka, will play a critical role in the success of its highly anticipated market entry and development strategy across Asia, said William Chemero, chief development officer of Wayback Burgers.
“We are pleased to officially announce our latest international partnerships with WBBA and Next Meats Co., which will create a tremendous opportunity to introduce the Wayback Burgers experience to both traditional and alternative burger lovers in Japan,” he said in the release. “We are excited to collaborate with both companies, under the impressive leadership of Koichi Ishizuka, officially bringing one of America’s favorite burger brands to market across Asia.”
WBBA has acquired the right of first refusal to become the master franchisee for Eastern Malaysia, Taiwan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, China, India, Korea, Thailand and Singapore, paving the way for significant brand growth across the entire continent.
Beginning as a single burger restaurant in 1991 in Newark, Delaware, Wayback operates in 32 states with over 166 locations across the United States and internationally in Brunei, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Pakistan, The Netherlands, Ireland and Alberta, Ontario, Saskatchewan and British Columbia in Canada. Through its existing agreements, Wayback Burgers has commitments to open a minimum of 249 locations in 42 provinces/countries.