“Work as a Life Experience”: Yakiniku Kojima Strengthens Human Resource Development with a Company-Wide Training Session Attended by 150 Staff

Founded 47 years ago, Yakiniku Kojima Group (Kojima Co., Ltd., Headquarters: Fujiidera City, Osaka Prefecture, Representative Director: Yuta Kojima) has garnered overwhelming support as “the yakiniku restaurant even butchers frequent,” currently operating 21 stores. On March 25, 2026, the group conducted a large-scale “Company-Wide Customer Service Training” for 150 staff members, including those from FC加盟店 (franchise stores). This initiative is a strategic educational investment aimed at achieving “organization building where people don't quit” in the restaurant industry, which faces severe labor shortages and high turnover rates. By positioning “education” at the core of its management, the company has achieved over 100% year-on-year sales across all stores (with multiple stores exceeding 200%). With this strengthened training system, the company anticipates a 20% improvement in the turnover rate. Leveraging its unique education system, which cultivates not just skill enhancement but also “Character x Hospitality,” Yakiniku Kojima will accelerate its rapid growth from 21 to 60 stores.

**[Background: Why Invest in “Education” Now?]** The current restaurant industry faces a structural crisis. The shortage rate for non-regular employees has reached 61.8%, and the turnover rate for new university graduates within three years is 49.7%, ranking among the worst across all industries (*). A negative image of “long hours and tough work” precedes the industry, leading to chronic talent shortages. Yakiniku Kojima’s answer to this challenge is “serious investment in education.” Product strength (delicious yakiniku) alone cannot achieve expansion from 21 to 60 stores. To overcome the barrier of multi-store expansion and build a strong brand, it is essential to move away from ad-hoc OJT and establish a “reproducible system where people grow and don't quit,” i.e., “organizational strength.” That is why we embarked on a fundamental educational reform that approaches human development, not just on-site operational guidance. (*Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare “Status of Turnover for March 2022 Graduates,” Teikoku Databank survey)

**[Initiative Details: 150 Participants in “Character x Hospitality” Company-Wide Training]** On March 25, 2026, 150 staff members from all stores, including FC加盟店 (franchise stores), gathered for a large-scale company-wide customer service training. The core of this training is Yakiniku Kojima’s unique educational framework: “Character x Hospitality.” By combining “Character” (dignity and influence) as a foundation with “Hospitality” (omotenashi and reproducibility), an organization where “people don't quit” and “reproducible high-quality service” can be simultaneously achieved. The training thoroughly instilled the following “Five Reinforcement Themes” based on Kojima’s unique philosophy system: 1. Mindset = Human Potential 2. Action = Execution Power 3. Communication = Communication Skills 4. Leadership = Coaching Ability 5. Capability = Thinking Power

**[Future Development: Towards a “60-Store System” with Education as a Weapon]** To ensure that the training does not end as abstract spiritual theory, concrete action guidelines that can be immediately implemented on-site were formulated and disseminated through a workshop format.

**[Service Action Guidelines (Heart-filling Hospitality)]** * Create atmosphere with smiles and vitality * Build trust with eye contact * Exciting welcome * Memorable farewell * Proposal power that exceeds customer expectations * Hospitality created by the entire team

**[Quality Action Guidelines (Quality for All Positions)]** * Integrated customer service including the kitchen * Always provide the highest quality * Thorough hygiene and freshness management * Optimization of speed and timing * Plating and presentation that appeal to the five senses * Attention to detail builds trust

**[Results: “Overwhelming Numbers” Generated by Investment in Education]** Investment in “education” has already manifested as clear business results.

1. Over 100% Year-on-Year Sales Across All Stores (Maximum Over 200%) Unified customer service quality and increased staff motivation directly lead to customer satisfaction. All 21 stores achieved over 100% year-on-year sales, with multiple stores showing astonishing growth exceeding 200%.

2. Expected 20% Improvement in Turnover Rate Even inexperienced staff who are “new to customer service” can become productive in a short period thanks to clear action guidelines and a robust education system. An environment where growth can be felt fosters staff retention, leading to an expected turnover rate significantly below the industry average (20% improvement).

3. Accelerated “Multi-Store Expansion” for FC Franchisees This education system is a powerful tool that allows FC加盟店 (franchise stores) to reproduce the same quality. In fact, multiple store expansions by FC owners who have experienced the “system for nurturing people” are progressing one after another, proving the high reproducibility of the business model.

**[Future Development: Towards a “60-Store System” with Education as a Weapon]** Yakiniku Kojima is currently in an expansion phase (approximately 3x growth) from 21 to 60 stores. This rapid growth is undoubtedly supported by “people.” We will continue to accelerate investment in education, expand internal training programs, and strengthen educational support for FC owners. As a “yakiniku brand strong in education,” we will expand nationwide and change the negative image of the restaurant industry.

**[Comment from Yakiniku Kojima Representative]** Yuta Kojima, Representative Director, Kojima Co., Ltd. “I don’t want them to just be part-time workers. I want their experience here to become a weapon in their lives. That’s why we thoroughly educate them not just on immediate customer service skills, but on ‘how to be as a person.’ ‘The restaurant industry is tough, and people don’t stay.’ We will change such industry norms. In fact, by seriously committing to education, our staff grow at an overwhelming speed and deliver results in sales. This is not just pretty words. I am genuinely creating a place where working is a source of pride. I sincerely look forward to meeting colleagues and FC owners who resonate with this vision and will help us achieve our growth to 60 stores. I am confident that the norms of the restaurant industry can definitely be changed.”

**[Seeking Colleagues and FC Owners Who Seriously Want to Grow]** We are in an expansion phase from 21 to 60 stores. We are looking for colleagues to play a central role in this growth.

**[Recruitment Information]** We are recruiting both part-time and full-time employees. We have an education system in place where you can learn not only customer service skills but also how to be as a person and ways of thinking. No prior customer service experience is required. What matters is the desire to “seriously grow.”

**[FC Franchisee Recruitment]** For owners who value “human resource development.” Would you like to build strong stores together under the training system attended by 150 people? We offer a “winning FC model” that enables multi-store expansion with overwhelming product strength and educational power that ensures people don't quit.

**Contact:** Please contact each store or via official SNS DM: @yakiniku_kojima1978

**[Company Profile]** Trade Name: Kojima Co., Ltd. Representative: Yuta Kojima, Representative Director Location: 12-17 Ofunecho, Fujiidera City, Osaka Established: January 6, 2021 Business Activities: Yakiniku restaurant management and franchise headquarters operation

**[Contact for this matter]** Yakiniku Kojima Public Relations: Otani E-mail: kouhou@toratora-kojima.jp TEL: 070-1804-383