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

Lawn Doctor

Design with photo of John Perry and Lawn Doctor logo

How a 20-Year Industry Veteran Tripled His Sales With a Lawn Doctor Franchise

lawn-doctor-franchise-success-story-john-perry

Fitness Premier

The Secret to Fitness Franchise Success? It's Not Just the Workouts

fitness-premier-franchise-marketing-support

Fresh Coat

Photo of Fresh Coat vehicle with ladders on top

The Rise of Home Improvement Franchises: Why Now Is the Time to Invest

why-invest-home-improvement-franchise-fresh-coat

HomeTeam Inspection Service

Photo of HomeTeam inspector in red polo and khaki pants, walking by branded vehicle

Real Estate Today: Behind the Drywall: The Truth About Home Inspections

purpose-of-home-inspection

Dog Training Elite

Dog Training Elite Franchise - DTE - National Service Dog Month - 1851 Franchise

Celebrating Service Dogs: Why Proper Training Changes Lives — And How Dog Training Elite Is Leading the Way

dog-training-elite-national-service-dog-month

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 Development Website Builder

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

Design with American and Federal Reserve flags against light blue background

Federal Reserve Expected To Cut Rates by Quarter Point, a Move That Could Boost Franchise Growth

fed-rate-cut-boosts-franchise-growth

Potbelly to be Acquired by RaceTrac in $566 Million Deal 

racetrac-acquires-potbelly-in-566-million-deal

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities - 1851 Franchise Agg

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities 

health-care-hiring-slowdown-in-home-care-franchise-opportunities

Caribou Coffee Names Scott Kennedy CEO, Eyes Continued Growth

caribou-coffee-names-scott-kennedy-ceo-eyes-continued-growth

McDonald’s Launches New Extra Value Meals as Consumer Demand for Value Continues to Climb

mcdonalds-launches-extra-value-meals

1851 Franchise Deep Dive graphic with Sparkle Squad logo

Sparkle Squad Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

franchise-deep-dive-sparkle-squad-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

graphic image of a financial deep dive of americas swimming pools co.

America’s Swimming Pool Company Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

americas-swimming-pool-asp-franchise-deep-dive

image of The Cleaning Authority Franchise Deep Dive Article financial investment details

The Cleaning Authority Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

the-cleaning-authority-franchise-deep-dive

Jollibee -Launch-Story-Brand-Page-Deep-Dive-2025

Jollibee Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

jollibee-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-for-2025

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

1851 Keyword - The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

part-time-franchises-picking-the-right-model

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

Multi-Unit Wendy’s Operator Signs 12-Unit Deal With Layne’s Chicken Fingers

ricki-oberoi-laynes-chicken-fingers-growth

DevHub - Meet the Supplier - 1851 Franchise

DevHub: Scalable Digital Marketing for Franchises and Multi-Location Brands

devhub-meet-the-supplier

Design with school-aged child standing on pencil with text "Education Franchises" and "<$500K"

Top Education Franchises Under $500K To Explore in 2025

top-education-franchises-under-500k

How to Make a Buzzy Business Last Beyond the Hype

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS