ArrowArtboardCreated with Sketch.Title ChevronTitle ChevronIcon FacebookIcon LinkedinIcon Mail ContactPath LayerIcon MailPositive ArrowIcon Print
Food & Beverage

Japan's casual dining chains woo solo eaters in pandemic age

'Family restaurants' alter layout to survive without families

Solo seats with partitions at a Gusto restaurant. Skylark Holdings is moving to install counter seats across Japan.

TOKYO -- Cheaper than full-fledged restaurants but a step up from fast food, Japan's diner-style chains are a popular, quick way to feed a hungry family.

But the "family restaurant" business model has been disrupted by COVID-19. The families themselves are not returning.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored Content This content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.

Discover the all new Nikkei Asia app

  • Take your reading anywhere with offline reading functions
  • Never miss a story with breaking news alerts
  • Customize your reading experience

Nikkei Asian Review, now known as Nikkei Asia, will be the voice of the Asian Century.

Celebrate our next chapter
Free access for everyone - Sep. 30

Find out more