NRN: Umami Burger, Katsuya to Get Quick-Service Treatment

Nation’s Restaurants News reports Disruptive Restaurant Group, the Los Angeles-based multi-concept restaurant group, is developing quick-service variations of its Umami Burger and Katsuya franchise brands. The new variations will provide existing and prospective franchise partners flexible build-out and operational options for new stores.

The quick-service variations of both brands are scheduled to debut in Los Angeles and New York City late in 2018 or early in 2019. Both concepts will include alternate branding from their fast-casual counterparts. The title of Umami Burger’s quick-service concept will drop the word “burger” and be styled simply as Umami. Katsuya’s new variation will be called Krispy Rice.

The new concepts are designed to provide for a more flexible footprint for both brands, allowing for new units in non-standalone locations such as malls and entertainment venues.

“Malls are becoming more centric on the experience of food and beverage,” said Sam Nazarian, founder and CEO of Sbe, which operates Disruptive Restaurant Group. “It’s a perfect time for us.”

Read the full article at nrn.com.