1851

It&rsquo;s not uncommon for brands to be born out of trends. Consumers ultimately inspire the creation of different concepts&mdash;demand for boutique fitness classes, for example, have led to the launch of cycling studios and boxing clubs across the country. A seemingly endless number of healthy food chains have also popped up as more consumers make nutrition a part of their lifestyle. But if and when those trends fade, trendy brands need to have a backup plan if they want to succeed in the long run.

Making a buzzy business last beyond its 15 minutes of fame requires strategic expansion and strong messaging. Without a foundation of customer loyalty, concepts will never be able to build the reputation and branding required to become more than a trend. One franchise brand that&rsquo;s currently in the midst of that transformation is Kizuki Ramen &amp; Izakaya.

Over the course of the last few years, ramen has become a growing trend among consumers. What was once known as a traditional Japanese dish is now served in restaurants all over the globe. For Kizuki, that means business has never been better. After originally starting in Japan back in 2003, the brand decided to franchise in the states in 2012. It made the move because it recognized the opportunity to capitalize on the increasing demand for ramen. And while the dish is still at the height of its popularity, Kizuki is already making plans to outlast the trend.

&ldquo;I think being trendy is a good thing. But in order to last beyond the hype, you need to transform your experience from a trend into something that consumers want to experience on a daily basis. As a restaurant chain, that means offering menu options that fit our customers&rsquo; daily dietary preferences,&rdquo; said Kevin Yu, one of Kizuki&rsquo;s founders and partners. &ldquo;By doing that, we&rsquo;ll be able to take the Kizuki brand to the next stage.&rdquo;

In order to create a menu and environment that will appeal to consumers once the hype surrounding ramen dies down, Kizuki is taking cues from its customers. The brand is actively paying attention to what they want to see pop up on its menu going forward, such as low sodium broth options and rotating ingredient options. Kizuki is also sure to keep its environment authentic&mdash;from cooking techniques to the design of its restaurants, the brand wants to create an atmosphere that can&rsquo;t be found anywhere else.

The techniques Kizuki are utilizing can be duplicated by other brands, regardless of the segment they&rsquo;re competing in. Creating a strong relationship with consumers and providing a service that can&rsquo;t be duplicated enable trends to turn into something more.

&ldquo;We&rsquo;re constantly working to find ways to make Kizuki&rsquo;s products be a must have for consumers. That&rsquo;s the key to our long-term success&mdash;we want to see customers coming back because we serve the best ramen they can find,&rdquo; said Yu. &ldquo;Our ability to fill a void and cater to a need is what continues to fuel our growth across the U.S.&rdquo;

How to Make a Buzzy Business Last Beyond the Hype

1851 Franchise

When a brand is born out of a trend, it takes consumer engagement and unique positioning to find long-term success. 


how-to-make-a-buzzy-business-last-beyond-the-hype

TruBlue Home Service Ally

TruBlue’s Home Maintenance Plans: Peace of Mind for Homeowners

trublues-home-maintenance-plans-peace-of-mind-for-homeowners

Caring Transitions

Caring Transitions Targets Peoria, Illinois, for Franchise Growth

caring-transitions-targets-peoria-illinois-for-franchise-growth

Caring Transitions Celebrates a Strong Start to 2025 With 19 New Franchise Sales and Momentum-Building Training Events

caring-transitions-celebrates-a-strong-start-to-2025-with-19-new-franchise-sales-and-momentum-building-training-events

Right at Home

Right at Home 30th Anniversary in Home Care with Right at Home Logo

Celebrating 30 Years of Excellence and Future Innovations in Home Care

celebrating-30-years-of-excellence-and-future-innovations-in-home-care

Why TruBlue is the Ideal Franchise for Multi-Unit Owners: Scalable Growth With a Purpose

why-trublue-is-the-ideal-franchise-for-multi-unit-owners-scalable-growth-with-a-purpose

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

DoorDash Expansion Could Reshape Delivery and Operations for Franchise Brands - 1851 Franchise

DoorDash Expansion Could Reshape Delivery and Operations for Franchise Brands

doordash-acquistions-deliveroo-sevenrooms

Crumbl Franchise Investment - TSG Consumer Partners -  1851 Franchise

TSG Consumer Partners Takes Minority Stake in Crumbl, Signaling Franchise Growth Potential

crumbl-franchise-investment-tsg-consumer

Yum Brands Reports Strong Q1 Results with Big Boost from Taco Bell

yum-brands-reports-strong-q1-results-with-big-boost-from-taco-bell

QSR: McDonald’s Gains Momentum With Chicken Innovation, Value Deals and Franchisee Support

mcdonalds-franchise-recovery-chicken-strategy-value-deals-2025

The Future of Franchising: Trends and Predictions for 2025 and Beyond

the-future-of-franchising-trends-and-predictions-for-2025-and-beyond

District Taco Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

franchise-deep-dive-district-tacos-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Lumin Lash Franchise Deep Dive - Costs, Fees, Profit and Data - 1851 Franchise

Lumin Lash Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

lumin-lash-franchise-deep-dive

HTeaO Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

franchise-deep-dive-hteaos-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Photo of Happinest Brands vans and teams standing together

Happinest Brands Closes Strong Q1 With Strategic Growth, System-Wide Enhancements

happinest-brands-q1-2025-growth

Franchisee spotlight image with Randy and Sandy Craft, Children's Lighthouse logo on blue background

The Crafts’ Successful Journey from New Parents to Children’s Lighthouse Franchisees

the-crafts-successful-journey-from-new-parents-to-childrens-lighthouse-franchisees

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Amy Lepke and family and Papa Murphy's logo

After 14 Years as a Stay-At-Home Mom, Amy Lepke Returned to Papa Murphy’s — This Time as an Owner

papa-murphys-franchise-amy-lepke

Franchisee Spotlight with Micki Waters and Papa Murphy's Logo

Work Mom: How Micki Waters Became a Mother Figure to Her Entire Papa Murphy’s Team

work-mom-how-micki-waters-became-a-mother-figure-to-her-entire-papa-murphys-team

Layoffs Surge to Pandemic-Era Highs, Opening Doors for Franchise Growth

layoffs-surge-to-pandemic-era-highs-opening-doors-for-franchise-growth

Franchisee spotlight image with photo of Robert Trujillo and UWRG logo on blue background

How Robert Trujillo Expanded His Construction Business With UWRG

how-robert-trujillo-expanded-his-construction-business-with-uwrg

How to Make a Buzzy Business Last Beyond the Hype

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS