[Opening Report] 'AWAJISHIMA BURGER WORKS', a craft burger restaurant perfecting the flavor of meat, officially opens at Awaji SA (down-line) on March 12, 2026. 691 customers visited on the first day!

A new culinary landmark has been born on Awaji Island.

On Thursday, March 12, 2026, the craft burger shop 'AWAJISHIMA BURGER WORKS' opened inside the dining zone of the Awaji Service Area (down-line), operated by URA Co., Ltd. (Location: Oiso, Awaji City, Hyogo / CEO: Toshiaki Iue). Aiming to be the number one hamburger shop, we are pursuing a taste that will make all visitors to Awaji Island want to come back again.

We would be very grateful if you would consider covering our new opening in your publication.

691 Visitors Despite Being a Weekday

On the opening day, Thursday, March 12, 2026, we welcomed a large number of customers despite it being a weekday. This performance exceeded our initial forecast by over 120%, marking a very strong start for a new store within the Awaji SA down-line. By serving craft burgers featuring Awaji beef and Awaji Island onions, it is gaining attention as a base for promoting the region's new culinary attractions.

Even Busier on the Weekend, Surpassing Weekday Numbers

The first weekend after the opening saw significantly more customers than the weekday, with lines forming, especially around lunchtime. Signature items like the cheeseburger and pulled pork burger recorded sales numbers that exceeded expectations.

**- Commemorative opening magnets were distributedหมด early** **- Return visits from not only tourists but also local customers were quickly confirmed**

Visitor Trends and Sales Composition

Sales data after the opening strongly indicates a demand to 'savor' the craft burgers properly.

The ratio of set menus exceeded 70%, showing that both tourists and local customers are primarily having a satisfying full meal experience.

**- Most Popular: Cheeseburger Set** The blend of coarse and fine ground patty and the sweetness of sautéed Awaji Island onions have been well-received, with this item having the highest number of social media posts.

**- Recommended: Pulled Pork Burger Set** Highly supported by tourists for its 'taste you can only get here,' with sales numbers growing over the weekend.

Store Overview

- Store Name: AWAJISHIMA BURGER WORKS (First store) - Address: Inside Awaji Service Area (down-line), 2568 Iwaya, Awaji City, Hyogo - Opening Date: Thursday, March 12, 2026 - Phone: 0799-72-4887 - Business Hours: - Sat, Sun, Holidays: 10:00 - 21:00 - Weekdays: 11:00 - 21:00 - (*For the time being, 10:00 - 21:00 daily*) - Closed: None

Comment from the Manager

**[Store Manager] / Ryo Shimaoka**

'I am truly grateful to the unexpectedly large number of customers who came from the very first day. 691 people visited despite it being a weekday, and our staff was operating at full capacity, but we all came together with the feeling of 'wanting to deliver the best burgers with the best ingredients.' On the first weekend, 754 customers visited, and I strongly feel that a new specialty is being born at Awaji SA down-line.

As a shop that 'conveys the charm of Awaji Island through burgers,' we will continue to take on new challenges such as menu development. We aim to be a shop that makes both visitors to Awaji Island and locals want to 'come back again,' and we will do our best with youthful energy to make it exciting.'

About Awaji Service Area (down-line)

The restaurants at Awaji Service Area (SA) down-line—'Royal,' 'AWAJISHIMA BURGER WORKS,' and 'The Don'—offer a magnificent panoramic view of the Akashi Kaikyo Strait from their guest seats. The view from the window seats is particularly outstanding, with a truly spectacular landscape unfolding before your eyes. The facility includes restaurants, a food court, shops, a road information center, and an observation terrace, allowing for a relaxing stay.

Furthermore, visitors can freely travel between the Awaji SA up-line, Awaji SA down-line, and the Awaji Highway Oasis.

About Awaji-kita Smart Interchange (Awaji Highway Oasis)

Opened on March 29, 2020. This is the nation's first smart interchange directly connected to a private facility, developed by Awaji City, Yumebutai Co., Ltd., and the Honshu-Shikoku Bridge Expressway Company Limited.

This allows drivers from within Awaji Island to enter the smart interchange, enjoy meals and shopping at the Awaji Highway Oasis and Awaji SA, and then merge onto the main expressway. It is also possible to exit at the Awaji Interchange without using the main expressway (limited to vehicles with an ETC unit and a length of 12m or less).

- Awaji Service Area (down-line) - Address: Inside Awaji SA down-line, 2568 Iwaya, Awaji City, Hyogo - TEL: 0799-72-4687 - Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/awajisa.gourmet/

- About Awaji-kita Smart Interchange (Awaji City) - http://www.awajishimahighwayoasis.com/access/smart_IC.html

Operating Company Profile

- Company Name: URA Co., Ltd. http://www.ura.co.jp - Location: 6 Oiso, Awaji City, Hyogo 656-2302 - Established: May 13, 1963 - Capital: 50 million JPY - Representative: President and CEO, Toshiaki Iue - Number of Employees: 660 - Business Content: General food service - Restaurants & Shops: Awaji Highway Oasis, Service Area Restaurants/Food Courts, Parking Area Restaurants/Shops, Golf Course Restaurants - Food Manufacturing: Processed foods like Takechikuwa, Craft Beer (Awaji Beer), etc. - FC Business: Mister Donut, The Don - Office Catering: Sun Food Service Co., Ltd. - Affiliated Companies: Awaji Ferry Boat Co., Ltd., Shioya Tochi Co., Ltd., IG Kosan Co., Ltd. [James-yama Driving School], Hotel Anaga