Their most popular item is their Totoro-shaped cream puffs, and there’s a Halloween Totoro dessert on the way. In Japan, a lot of confectioners take Halloween as an opportunity to create pumpkin ...

Japanese-style pub operator Watami has announced the acquisition of Subway Japan in a strategic move to diversify its portfolio. The Tokyo-based izakaya [a traditional Japanese bar where alcoholic ...

Major Japanese-style pub operator Watami Co. said Friday it has acquired the Japanese unit of the Subway sandwich chain for an undisclosed amount in an effort to diversify its business.

Watami is buying the operator of the Subway sandwich chain in Japan as it seeks to branch out from its portfolio of izakaya-style restaurants and take on fast food rival McDonald’s Holdings Japan.

Subway had more than 400 outlets across Japan 10 years ago, but the number has since dropped to 178. Watami CEO Watanabe Miki says the company aims to open 250 Subway outlets in the next 10 years.

The company will be promoting its recycling-based sixth-industry model. Watami Corporation Limited has acquired an interest ...

Restaurant chain operator Watami Co. announced it has acquired the Japanese arm of U.S. sandwich chain Subway. Subway currently operates 178 outlets in Japan, but Watami plans to expand that ...