Yakinori

About Yakinori

Yakinori is a noodle and sushi concept founded by Ali Karakaya in Birmingham in 2015, having previously operated Japanese restaurant Woktastic. It currently has sites on Selly Oak, Solihull, Bristol and Birmingham city centre. Karakaya, hopes to expand the business beyond the West Midlands and become a key player in the Japanese food market. Upon opening his Solihull site, he said: “As a Birmingham-born family, we’re thrilled to open another Yakinori restaurant close to home. We’re committed to offering the very best that Japanese food has to offer, with a great customer experience to match. Our ambition is to take the Yakinori brand nationwide.”

Why franchise with Yakinori

• ✓The Yakinori franchise fee is £25,000 and the package fee is around £230,000, dependent on the size and location of the site. The costs include fit-out (from £230,000), lease acquisition, professional fees, construction, equipment, stock, as well as launch costs. Government-led funding is available towards the cost of the franchise fee. Training and support will be made available and ongoing support will also be provided by the head office team, as well as marketing guidance. Franchisees will get the rights to own and operate a Yakinori franchise and use the trademarks and tradename in a defined area for a period of five years with the right to renew; full initial training in all aspects of the business; ongoing training and support; franchise operations manual; site acquisition assistance; support with purchasing of equipment and stock; support with funding if required; access to nominated suppliers; centralised sales and marketing and PR support. The company said: “Our current market is as diverse as our menu! We are hugely popular with professionals and students, especially as we are located in university hotspots. Our target audience is 16-30 and 30–60-year-olds. Current trading is strong, and the pandemic has proved that businesses can grow if they can adapt. This has been the case for our Yakinori delivery platforms, which currently make up 55% of our takings. We will help you realise your own 1000+ square-foot Yakinori Restaurant in the best location, with flexible options to eat in takeaway and deliveries. We also have the option of a second brand, Pokenori, that can increase revenue whilst utilising the same site. You do not need previous experience in restaurant management to join our franchise, you will receive all the training you will need in order to run your Yakinori business successfully. But potential franchisees will need to be able to demonstrate a fantastic customer service, be driven, motivated and people-centred. Individuals will need to be passionate about good quality food and enjoy Japanese cuisine and culture. If you know your sashimi from your nigiri, your maki from your temaki, then you could be the franchisee we are looking for.”

Investment breakdown