The Shin-Line group of companies, known for ice cream production, has signed an agreement with Japanese corporation Shigemitsu Industry to develop the franchise of the popular Japanese restaurant chain Ajisen Ramen in Kazakhstan, reports infohub.kz.
According to Shin-Line's press service, the master franchise agreement was signed in Japan. The parties agreed to establish a joint venture that will manage franchising, production, and adaptation of products under the Ajisen Ramen brand.
The franchise development is scheduled for 2027–2031. During this period, up to 50 restaurants are planned to be opened. The company will not limit itself to Kazakhstan: using its logistics and production base in the republic, the brand intends to enter the markets of Central Asia, the EAEU countries, the Caucasus, and Eastern Europe.
The first Ajisen Ramen restaurant will open in Almaty. Raw materials for dishes will be produced at Shin-Line's facilities in the village of Baiserke, Almaty Region, where a factory kitchen meeting Japanese standards will be created.
"One restaurant is just the beginning. It is important for us to build a system that can be effectively scaled to other countries. Here we have a reliable Japanese partner, our own production facilities, and a deep understanding of regional markets," noted Andrey Shin, President of Shin-Line Group.
The company emphasized that recipes and production standards will be adapted to the tastes of local consumers. Entering the restaurant business will become one of the group's strategic development directions. Shin-Line also expressed hope that the new project will help create a center of Japanese gastronomic culture, attract foreign investment, and provide new jobs.
Ajisen Ramen is a Japanese fast-food restaurant chain operating since 1968. It specializes in ramen noodles with pork bone broth. The chain has over 800 restaurants in 13 countries, including Japan, China, Canada, the USA, and some European states.
Earlier it was reported that KSS Finance, owned by billionaire Vladimir Kim, became a co-owner of ABR Kazakhstan Holding, registered in the AIFC, which manages a restaurant chain.