Onigilly Japanese Kitchen

<a href="https://onigillyfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=onigilly-targets-los-angeles-for-expansion-as-part-of-larger-southern-california-growth-strategy-2729971" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Onigilly Japanese Kitchen</a>, a fast-casual Japanese eatery based in the Bay Area known for its handheld rice balls and fresh, flavorful ingredients, is targeting Los Angeles for expansion.&nbsp;According to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/koji-kanematsu-6223546/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=onigilly-targets-los-angeles-for-expansion-as-part-of-larger-southern-california-growth-strategy-2729971" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Koji Kanematsu</a>, founder and CEO of&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/onigilly">Onigilly</a>, the company has seen strong performance in Northern California, particularly in shopping center locations like Valley Fair Mall and Stonestown Galleria. But as prime real estate becomes harder to find in the Bay Area, Kanematsu is turning his attention south.“Since we have already secured the major mall locations in the Bay Area, we are shifting our target to Southern California, especially Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego,” Kanematsu said. “We’ve already identified about 20 top shopping centers in the Los Angeles area and have begun the process of securing locations.”Kanematsu emphasizes that the brand’s success stems from being selective, both in real estate and franchise partnerships. He travels to Los Angeles regularly to meet with shopping center representatives and evaluate the best fit for the brand’s flagship locations.“We’re not targeting just anywhere; we want locations where Onigilly can thrive,” he said. “The demographics in Los Angeles are a good match. It’s a densely populated area with strong Asian influence and interest in healthy, flavorful cuisine.”Onigilly is prioritizing site selection for franchise growth and focusing on supporting existing and future franchisees in Southern California. The brand continues to explore top-tier shopping centers in LA and surrounding areas, laying the groundwork for long-term franchising momentum through strong local partnerships.From a growth perspective, Kanematsu believes the Los Angeles market can help the brand scale from a regional chain to a nationally recognized name.“Right now, we’re a Bay Area brand,” he said. “But as we add 20 locations in Los Angeles and Southern California, we can reach 30 or 40 units. At that point, we’ll get more exposure, and franchise interest will continue to grow.”That growth, however, depends on finding the right partners. Onigilly is seeking franchisees who share its values and are committed to growing alongside the brand, rather than investors seeking a quick profit.“We value politeness, consistency and attention to detail,” Kanematsu said. “We want franchisees who understand that this is still an early-stage brand. If you join now, you get access to prime territory and our full support. If you wait five years, those A-plus locations may be gone.”Onigilly’s expansion is not driven by franchising fees but by a long-term commitment to sustainable growth. The brand will continue opening company-owned stores in other strategic markets until the right partners are identified.&nbsp;“We don’t franchise just to make money,” he said. “We only franchise when it’s the right fit. If not, we open the restaurants ourselves. The quality and success of each location is the top priority.”As Onigilly prepares to grow in Los Angeles, it brings with it a disciplined growth strategy, a strong sense of brand identity and a founder personally invested in every site decision. For Los Angeles residents hungry for something fresh and authentic, Onigilly may soon be just around the corner.For more information about Onigilly franchise opportunities, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/onigilly">https://1851franchise.com/onigilly.</a>&nbsp;

Onigilly Targets Los Angeles for Expansion as Part of Larger Southern California Growth Strategy

Onigilly Expands to Los Angeles With Plans for 20 New Locations

1851 Franchise

The Japanese fast-casual brand is scouting top-tier shopping centers in LA to build brand presence and fuel future franchising momentum.

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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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Onigilly Targets Los Angeles for Expansion as Part of Larger Southern California Growth Strategy

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