[More Love than 50 Million Yen] 'Kirimen,' a Tabelog Top 100 Ramen Shop Passed Down for Free to a Former Customer, Expands to Vietnam.

■ Overview

Kirimen JAPAN Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture; President: Toshiya Matsui) and its overseas corporation 'Ramen Dream' will open a 'Kirimen' branch in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Kirimen has been consecutively selected as a Tabelog Top 100 restaurant. This project was launched from a 'co-creative business succession' where founder Naoyuki Kiritani refused a 50 million yen M&A offer, saying 'I cannot sell my employees along with the business,' and entrusted management to Matsui, a 10-year customer and former part-time employee. Kiritani will continue to oversee the flavor as Director and Supreme Advisor, while the management team will lead global expansion alongside the chefs of 'FUME,' Ho Chi Minh's premier Japanese restaurant. Simultaneously, to spread this 'spirit,' the company will begin recruiting full-time employees with high salaries starting from 300,000 yen per month and seeking independent candidates through its 'noren-wake' (business inheritance) system.

1. 'The Future of Disciples over 50 Million Yen': A Co-creative Business Succession with a Former Customer

Kirimen's founder, Kiritani, who enjoyed immense popularity in Osaka, announced the closure of all stores to pursue an ideal living environment. At that time, he received an M&A offer to buy the brand for 50 million yen, but he rejected it outright. The main reason was his artisan's paternal affection: 'I cannot sell off my disciples as a package. I wanted them to have their own castle (shop).' Kiritani entrusted the brand's future to Matsui (now President of Kirimen JAPAN), a former part-time employee who first visited as a customer during the famous 'Ramen Jinsei JET' era, was scouted, worked there, and supported Kirimen's founding. Kiritani assumed the role of 'Director and Supreme Advisor' of Kirimen JAPAN Co., Ltd. This 'co-creative business succession,' which separates the brand from operations, allows the founder to focus on flavor and product development while Matsui and the management team drive multi-store expansion and global reach, opening a new chapter for Kirimen.

Management team of Kirimen JAPAN Co., Ltd. (From left: Director and Supreme Advisor Naoyuki Kiritani, President Toshiya Matsui, Director Yugo Kiyota)

2. Decisive Global Strategy: Alliance with Top-Tier Japanese Cuisine Team 'FUME'

Matsui, who currently operates 100 restaurants under double Co., Ltd. and aims for an annual revenue of 100 billion yen by 2035, had a gut feeling during a Vietnam inspection that 'if we don't go now, we'll miss the global strategy' and immediately signed a contract for a 6-story building in Ho Chi Minh City. This expansion also carries a social purpose: to create a 'workplace (Ramen Dream)' for Vietnamese staff working at Matsui's company under Specified Skilled Worker visas when they eventually return to their home country. The local operations manager is Ryusei Sasaki, the second chef from 'FUME,' Ho Chi Minh's top-class Japanese restaurant. They will form a powerful alliance with the local team led by FUME's head chef, Shozo Tsuruhara, to compete against major mega-chains with 'inherited spirit' under the philosophy of 'pursuing the material and spiritual happiness of Vietnamese people through Japanese food.'

Zi-san, who worked at the Japan store and became a store manager in Vietnam. From left: Shozo Tsuruhara, Ryusei Sasaki. Director Yugo Kiyota providing on-site noodle-making guidance.

3. Recruiting Partners to Realize the 'Ramen Dream' in Japan and Abroad

Kirimen JAPAN is widely recruiting full-time employees and FC partners to co-create this story and work actively both domestically and internationally. They offer scientific training and overwhelmingly favorable conditions that overturn the norms of the industry's 'black' (exploitative) reputation.

Full-time Employee & Independence Support Recruitment
Targeted at inexperienced individuals and young people. They have abolished the 'learn by watching' approach and introduced practical training that allows you to learn the operations of a successful store from day one. They support you in saving skills and money in an industry-leading environment with a monthly salary of 300,000 yen or more (400,000 yen or more for manager candidates), a two-day workweek, and company dormitories/housing, helping you achieve independence (owning your own castle) with a solid chance of success.

Noren-wake (Business Inheritance) System
Targeted at experienced artisans. After working at a directly managed store, you fully inherit the techniques and spirit, and become independent as the top regional store replicating the original store's flavor.

Area License System
Targeted at corporations and investors. A multi-store expansion model like the Kadoma store model, which captures family customers and evening business to generate profit across all time slots.

▼ Employment and job applications here

https://kirimenjapan.com/

▼ Inquiries regarding Area License and Noren-wake here

https://kirimenjapan.com/fc/

■ Founder Interview Video Now Available on YouTube

A special interview video featuring Naoyuki Kiritani (Founder/Supreme Advisor), Toshiya Matsui (President), and Yugo Kiyota (Director) is now available, where they candidly discuss the background of Kirimen JAPAN's establishment and their 'passion' for the Vietnam expansion.

Kirimen's signature menu item, also very popular in Vietnam.

■ Store Overview

Kirimen Vietnam Store
(RAMEN KIRIMEN - )

Location: 8/14 Lê Thánh Tôn, Sài Gòn, Hồ Chí Minh 71016, Vietnam

Business Hours: 11:00-14:30 (Lunch), 17:00-22:00 (Dinner)

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kirimen_vietnam?igsh=cW8zZWV5aTVnZDZi

Kirimen JAPAN Co., Ltd.

Representative: President Toshiya Matsui
Established: March 1, 2023
Location: 2-7-3 Minamisenba, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture 542-0081
URL: https://kirimenjapan.com/
Business Description: Food and beverage business, wholesale business, e-commerce business, production business, franchise business, independence support business, overseas business

■ Contact for Press and Inquiries
Public Relations: Ryosuke Higashi
E-mail: bb.kirimen.japan@gmail.com
TEL: 080-6448-5845