Onigilly Japanese Kitchen

When&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/koji-kanematsu-6223546/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-earnings-2729770" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Koji Kanematsu</a> started&nbsp;<a href="https://onigillyfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-earnings-2729770" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Onigilly Japanese Kitchen</a>, he wanted to bring something simple, healthy and culturally meaningful to the United States — onigiri. This handheld Japanese rice ball has been around for more than 2,000 years, and Kanematsu saw an opportunity to build a fast-casual concept around it that fits modern lifestyles.“Onigiri has stayed popular in Japan for so long because it’s portable, healthy and filling,” Kanematsu said. “It’s fast food, but good fast food.&nbsp;Eating onigiri leaves you feeling happy and satisfied, knowing you’ve made a choice that’s both delicious and good for your health. That's how we (Japanese) grew up."At first, it took time for customers in the U.S. to understand what&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/onigilly/info">Onigilly</a> was offering. People weren’t familiar with the look or the concept. But after a lot of testing — different shapes, fillings and presentations — the team landed on a version that customers really liked. What started at farmers markets and festivals quickly moved into office-heavy neighborhoods, where the concept took off.Office workers, especially in fast-paced environments like tech, loved that they could grab an Onigilly and eat it on the go — no utensils, no seating, no mess. “You can eat it with one hand and still use your mouse or keyboard,” Kanematsu said.As the business grew, Kanematsu noticed something important: most people didn’t use the indoor seating. So the team removed it, choosing smaller locations that cost less to rent. Combined with a streamlined menu and low prep time, Onigilly’s operating costs — from labor to food and rent — stayed much lower than traditional Japanese restaurants.<h2>Strong Financial Performance From the Start</h2>As Onigilly opened more locations, one thing became clear — the business worked. Mall locations in particular saw strong demand from the start. Just like in office areas, mall shoppers were looking for something quick, light and portable. Onigilly offered exactly that, and the locations became busy and profitable from day one.The concept also proved resilient. Even when other Japanese or Asian restaurants were nearby, Onigilly wasn’t affected. “People who want to sit down and have a full meal will go to a sushi place,” Kanematsu said. “People who want something quick and healthy come to us. We’re different.”And because the brand does a lot of catering, especially to offices, it creates additional income streams for franchisees. The product travels well and fits perfectly into today’s demand for fast, convenient meals that don’t sacrifice quality.<h2>Item 19 Earnings: How Much Can You Make?</h2>Below are the gross sales for the company-owned Kearny Street (800 sq-ft storefront) and Santa Clara (300 sq-ft shopping mall kiosk) locations in 2024. While individual franchisee performance may vary, this information can give potential owners a sense of what’s possible with a well-run Onigilly location in a strong market.<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Gross Sales by Category</td><td>2024 Calendar Year Kearny</td><td>2024 Calendar YearSanta Clara</td></tr><tr><td>In-Store Gross Sales</td><td>$651,048</td><td>$1,260,664</td></tr><tr><td>Delivery and Catering Gross Sales</td><td>$1,052,615</td><td>$333,198</td></tr><tr><td>Total Gross Sales</td><td>$1,703,663</td><td>$1,593,862</td></tr></tbody></table></figure><h2>A Business That Feels Good To Own</h2>For Kanematsu, the mission behind Onigilly is just as important as the numbers. He and his wife had just welcomed their first child when they launched the brand. They were driven by the desire to do something meaningful — not just for themselves, but for others as well.“We wanted to create something that helps people eat better,” he said. “We want to serve the kind of onigiri Japanese moms make with love for their children—food we’d happily share with our kids. This is fast food, but it’s good for you. That’s the difference.”With low overhead, flexible real estate options and a product that people genuinely love, Onigilly gives franchisees a chance to invest in a business that’s efficient, scalable and personally rewarding.For more information about Onigilly franchise opportunities, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/onigilly">https://1851franchise.com/onigilly.</a>&nbsp;

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Onigilly Japanese Kitchen - Deep Dive 2026 - 1851 Franchise

Onigilly Franchise Costs, Fees, Profits, and Data for 2026

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SAN FRANCISCO —&nbsp;<a href="https://onigillyfranchise.com/">Onigilly Japanese Kitchen</a>, the fast-casual concept centered on traditional onigiri rice balls, is closing 2025 with record sales, double-digit traffic growth and a fast-growing franchise pipeline, marking its evolution from a founder-led concept into a scalable modern brand poised for wider expansion in 2026.Founder and CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kojikanematsu/">Koji Kanematsu</a> says 2025 was the brand’s strongest year to date, driven by demand for convenient, healthier global flavors and a more structured approach to growth.“This year, we anticipate around $2 million in revenue across our corporate locations,” Kanematsu said. “We’re seeing rising interest in onigiri, and our concept is attracting more customers across all our units.”Across&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/onigilly/info">Onigilly’s</a> core locations, guest traffic surged in 2025. The San Francisco restaurant saw a 28 percent increase in traffic, while the San Jose location grew 18 percent. A new restaurant in San Francisco’s Stonestown Galleria is already approaching $1.8 million in annualized sales.“For sure, we can say double-digit growth,” Kanematsu said.On the culinary front, Onigilly continued to lean into simple, focused innovation. The team introduced a limited-time spicy pumpkin onigiri around Halloween and Thanksgiving, which quickly became a guest favorite.“We keep our menu simple, but because of the success, we are planning to do more,” Kanematsu said.The brand also launched a loyalty program called SAMURAI CLUB and stepped up marketing efforts in 2025, further strengthening its foundation for franchising.This year marked a turning point in Onigilly’s evolution from a small, founder-driven operation into a franchise-ready system. The company filed its Franchise Disclosure Document and received approval to franchise in California in September.Since then, Onigilly has opened its first franchise location and built a robust pipeline of new restaurants.“We have one franchisee currently operating, and another five who have either secured leases or are very close to doing so,” Kanematsu said.Unlike many emerging brands, Onigilly’s corporate team takes an active role in guiding franchisees through the real estate process.“As the franchisor, we assist in identifying and negotiating locations, then offer those options to our franchisees,” Kanematsu said. “This support reduces the heavy lifting for them, helping them get started quickly and accelerate growth.”In addition to the six committed franchisees, Onigilly is in discussions with several more prospective partners and has identified multiple promising new sites.“Right now, we’re confident about opening 15 to 20 franchise locations next year, with the potential for even more,” Kanematsu said.Kanematsu says the first year of franchising underscored the differences between a franchise business and operating corporate locations, as well as the importance of building systems around owner success.“Managing a corporate location is more straightforward because we hire and guide the general manager, and we have a clear line of sight into operations and success,” he said. “Franchise ownership is a different structure, which requires a different approach. Even with manuals and training, there’s a unique process in how you motivate and support franchisees effectively.”Those lessons are shaping Onigilly’s priorities for 2026. The company is investing in its headquarters support team and establishing systems to ensure deliberate growth with the right partners.“Our focus now is on our franchisees’ success,” Kanematsu said. “Our team is strong, but we’re investing in additional support, so franchisees have the resources they need to thrive. Support is our top priority.”While many of Onigilly’s franchisees are already interested in multi-unit development, the brand is taking a disciplined, one-restaurant-at-a-time approach to expansion.“Our priority is making sure franchisees are happy, well-supported, and fully understand the gap between their expectations and reality,” he said. “Once that foundation is in place, they can consider additional locations. We want to ensure they are both capable and motivated—that’s our approach.”Beyond the numbers, Kanematsu remains focused on Onigilly’s founding mission: introducing authentic, healthier Japanese fast casual to a wider American audience and establishing onigiri as a mainstream option.“That has been my primary motivation,” he said. “We’re not pursuing growth or profitability at the expense of quality. Onigiri remains a niche category in the U.S., and as a category leader, we recognize that we are often the first point of exposure for many guests. Their initial experience must be exceptional, because that experience helps define the category as a whole.”Kanematsu views Onigilly not only as a growth business but as a steward of the onigiri category. “We may be a single company, but we see ourselves as leaders of the category,” he said. “Our goal is to bring onigiri into the mainstream as a better, healthier and more convenient fast-food option. At its core, Onigilly is about rethinking what fast food can be.”That mindset is reflected in how the brand approaches franchise recruitment. Kanematsu says Onigilly is not looking for anyone who simply wants to buy territory; it is looking for partners who believe in the concept and will champion it in their local markets.“We’re confident in our strength, but we’re selective about who we partner with,” he said. “We’re not looking for someone who simply has capital or wants to claim territory. We want partners who share our culture, values, and mission because those are the people who will represent the brand and lead the category in their communities.”With record sales, double-digit traffic growth, its first franchise locations coming online and a carefully built pipeline for 2026, Onigilly is stepping into the new year as an emerging player in healthy global fast casual, backed by both strong performance and a clear, values-driven growth plan.To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/onigilly">https://1851franchise.com/onigilly</a>.About Onigilly Japanese KitchenOnigilly Japanese Kitchen is a fast-casual franchise bringing Japan’s favorite grab-and-go food, onigiri rice balls, to the U.S. Founded by Koji Kanematsu in 2008, Onigilly has grown from a food cart in San Francisco to a scalable franchise concept designed for efficient operations, healthy menus, and compact footprints. With a focus on fresh, nutrient-rich ingredients and streamlined systems that keep costs low, Onigilly offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to join a brand that blends innovation, culture, and consumer demand for healthier dining. To learn more about franchise opportunities, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://onigillyfranchise.com/">onigilly.com</a>.

Image of Onigilly restaurant franchise Reports Record 2025 Growth in Fast Casual

The fast-casual Japanese brand celebrates new openings, menu innovation and franchise development progress as it enters the new year.

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