In the latter part of the last decade, ramen concepts began exploding in popularity in the U.S., and at the time, Nation’s Restaurant News speculated which new concepts might win the “ramen wars” as Americans continued to slurp up the rich broth with noodles. Several years later, a winner has emerged, as Jinya Ramen Bar has become the second-fastest growing full-service Asian concept in the U.S.
Jinya Ramen Bar is a Tokyo-founded, Los Angeles-based ramen chain and flagship restaurant under Jinya Holdings Inc., which also claims Japanese concepts of varying menus and styles, from a Japanese lounge to a concept specializing in sushi handrolls.
As the Technomic Top 500 revealed, Jinya Ramen Bar’s 30.2% unit growth in 2023 was second only to KPOT Korean BBQ & Hot Pot, and Jinya is the only ramen concept that earned a spot in the Top 500 restaurants. In 2023 and 2024, Jinya opened 14 locations, with a strategic focus on franchising growth in cities in the Midwest, Northeast, and Southeast.
“Jinya’s success in the so-called ‘ramen wars’ can be attributed to our unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction,” said Tomo Takahashi, founder of Jinya. “Our strategic marketing, strong brand identity, and ability to adapt to market trends have solidified our leadership position in the industry. We also focus on the development of new tapas and ramen products, investing significant time in refining the taste of our existing ramen dishes, which are our mainstay.”
Much of Jinya’s 2023 growth was marked by major marketing initiatives like new culinary events, chef collaborations (like November 2023’s partnership with Nakamura Ramen) and new celebrity spokespeople for the brand, like Nascar’s Kyle Larson. Takahashi said that in 2023, Jinya Ramen Bar reached 2.67 billion media impressions, an increase of 183% from 2022.
The company also relaunched its app at the end of 2023 to enhance user experience and introduce a rewards program — a tactic that increasingly more casual-dining restaurants are trying. The app allows customers to order ahead, earn rewards points, and stay updated on the brand’s upcoming events and promotions.
In the future, Jinya plans to continue adding new concepts to its portfolio, including the upcoming Saijo, which focuses on skewers and handrolls. Moving forward, Takahashi said he can picture Jinya adding fast-casual concepts or restaurants with unique themes.
“We plan to introduce innovative menu items that reflect global culinary trends while staying true to our Japanese roots,” Takahashi said. “Our goal is to continuously improve and adapt to the ever-changing restaurant landscape, ensuring we remain a leader in the industry.”
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