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

'Family restaurants' alter layout to survive without families

20220211N gusto counter with partition

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

RISA KAWABA, Nikkei staff writer

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.

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