Japanese resto pursues Vismin expansion plans
Authentic Japanese restaurant chain Nonki announced expansion plans despite the lingering threats of the virus and the absence of Japanese tourists, owing to Filipinos’ rising demand for healthier food options.
Owned and managed by Ligaya Arong-Machida, the 18-year-old Nonki Japanese restaurant brand recently opened its 10th branch at J Center Mall in Mandaue City.
In an interview with Machida, she noted a surprising interest of Cebuano diners on Japanese cuisine riding along with the change of lifestyle introduced by the pandemic. Similar trend is also noted in other areas where there are Nonki outlets across Visayas and Mindanao.
Since 2020, when the COVID-19 disrupted most businesses, including dining outlets, Nonki managed to remain in business and kept its 250 employees aided by online orders.
Those restaurant servers (waiters, waitress), some kitchen staff helped with the delivery services during lockdown, while physical restaurants were closed.
Now that the economy is slowly opening up, Machida said she is pursuing expansion plans, starting with the opening of the10th branch at J Center Mall. This will be followed by the opening of branches in Tacloban, Cagayan de Oro, Bacolod, Dumaguete, Boracay, and an outlet at the Nustar Resort and Casino at the South Road Properties (SRP).
Machida attributed Nonki’s thriving business amid the Covid-19 related challenges to the appreciation of Filipinos for Japanese cuisine, and its healthier attributes.
In fact, she is getting invitations to open a branch in Metro Manila, but she has to turn down the Manila offer to focus on the opportunities in Visayas and Mindanao.
Despite the absence of Japanese tourists, who used to be the chain’s strongest market during pre-Covid times, Machida said Nonki as a business survived and even thrived during the two-year ordeal.
In the last two years, Machida said Nonki developed new markets, which now include outdoor diners, catering, online and delivery customers. The rising online customers has prompted the company to develop its own website.
The business is expected to gain further when foreign tourists return, particularly the Japanese nationals.
Nonki Japanese restaurant is now present in Davao, Iloilo, and Bohol. There are six Nonki restaurants in Cebu, including its outlet in Mactan Island.
Operating under the Nonki Foods Cebu Inc., the chain has been in the business for over 18 years. The first Nonki Japanese Restaurant was opened in 2004 at A.S.Fortuna Street in Mandaue City.