Umami Burger announced a partnership with a Japanese company, Medeiros Holdings Co., Ltd., to open 10 Umami Burger restaurants across Japan over the next five years. The agreement is Umami Burger’s first expansion outside the U.S. The first restaurant is expected to open in Tokyo by the end of the year with future locations to follow in Kanagawa, Osaka, Aichi, Hyogo, Kyoto, and Fukuoko prefectures.
Adam Fleischman, founder of Umami Burger says, “Umami Burger was created around the Japanese taste concept of ‘umami.’ We took inspiration for the design of our restaurants from other elements of Japanese culture. Thanks to Medeiros Holdings, Umami Burger is finally coming home to its roots.”
The Japanese expansion announcement comes just before Umami Burger opens a new Santa Monica, California, restaurant at 525 Broadway, a few steps away from the former Umami Burger Santa Monica. Later this summer, Umami Burger will open its second Chicago area restaurant in the West Loop neighborhood at 945 West Randolph Street. Umami Burger also plans to announce further domestic and international expansion in the coming months.
Named “Burger of the Year” by GQ Magazine, Umami Burger creates unique burgers highlighting the fifth savory taste sense called, umami. Just like sweet, sour, salty and bitter, Umami is a taste sensation found in certain ingredients that helps make your meal even more enjoyable. Umami Burger produces all of its own condiments, cheeses, and grinds its meat in-house throughout the day. All of the beef burgers are made with hand-ground, hand-formed premium steak. The result is a sophisticated, tightly edited selection of burgers, sides, and accompaniments. A global phenomenon, Umami Burger has a devoted cult following among food lovers around the world.
This is Medeiros Holdings first foray into restaurants, having already successfully introduced global fashion brands to Japan through its affiliate companies, P&T Trading Co., Ltd. and Visionize Co., Ltd. Its affiliates distribute throughout the Japanese fashion market exceptional jewelry, eyewear, watches, and apparel. To support these brands, P&T Trading and Visionize maintain a unique and diverse network within nine high-end department stores and two high-end fashion select stores throughout Japan. Additionally, supporting 150 specialty stores within its growing network, such as, United Arrows, Beams, Barney’s of New York, Ron Herman, Estination, Restir and Tomorrowland. Also, distributing eyewear through its flagship concept store EYESTYLE in the very popular Shibuya/Harajuku shopping district in Tokyo, and in Nagoya.
