TAITO STATION opens in Kwun Tong as Hong Kong franchise network reaches ten stores

TAITO STATION’s franchise network in Hong Kong has grown to ten stores. According to a report published by East Week on 13 October 2026, the brand’s new outlet at The ANGLE in Kwun Tong opened on 3 October. Covering around 2,000 square feet, it focuses on claw machines, with 41 installed. For those considering Hong Kong’s franchise market, the opening is both a sign of the brand’s expansion and an opportunity to examine competition in the local leisure sector.

Kwun Tong store becomes the tenth Hong Kong location

The new store at The ANGLE in Kwun Tong continues TAITO STATION’s focus on attracting customers through arcade entertainment. The report identifies it as the Japanese brand’s tenth Hong Kong outlet, with the floor area and machine count providing a concrete indication of the scale of this latest opening.

Benny, chief executive of HITEK AMUSEMENT, TAITO STATION’s Hong Kong franchise operator, told East Week: “Our tenth store is just the beginning, not the end. We will continue to assess market conditions and customer demand across different districts and actively consider opening more stores.”

His comments indicate that the operator is still considering expanding its local network, but its next steps depend on assessments of district-level market conditions and customer demand. Considering further openings is not the same as confirming a location, lease or opening date for the next store. An intention to expand should not be treated as a firm opening schedule.

Competition extends beyond small independent operators

As TAITO STATION opens its tenth store, competition among Hong Kong’s claw machine outlets is also attracting attention. East Week reported that their number had risen from around 100 a few years ago to more than 2,000, citing rents falling from their peaks as one factor drawing investors into the sector. These figures are the publication’s description of the market’s size, not official registration statistics.

The report also stated that, in the third quarter of 2025, there were 58 claw machine outlets across the four prime retail districts of Central, Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok and Causeway Bay — more than double the number a year earlier. These figures cover only those four districts and cannot directly establish the density of competition around the new Kwun Tong store. They do, however, suggest a substantial increase in similar offerings in some major shopping areas.

The same report noted that brands including Jumpin Gym, TAITO STATION and NAMCO were expanding their store networks and introducing various promotions to attract consumers. Assessing a new outlet’s prospects therefore requires more than checking whether rent is cheaper than before. Nearby entertainment options, competing brands’ promotions and customers’ willingness to return all matter. Growth in store numbers is not, in itself, evidence of profitability at individual outlets.

Franchise expansion does not mean franchises are open to applicants

The franchise relationship behind this opening is clear: HITEK AMUSEMENT is TAITO STATION’s franchise operator in Hong Kong, and the Kwun Tong outlet brings the brand’s local network to ten stores. This is important context when interpreting its expansion.

However, a franchise operator adding branded locations does not necessarily mean that individual investors can apply to become franchisees. These involve different licensing arrangements and investment responsibilities. Anyone considering entering Hong Kong’s franchise market should not assume that a single-store franchise package is available simply because a new outlet has opened or management has expressed an intention to expand.

Before entering discussions, prospective investors should establish the other party’s authority to grant franchise rights, whether franchise applications are being accepted and what form any partnership would take. Only then should they discuss premises, equipment and operating investment. These are pre-investment due diligence steps, not partnership terms announced as part of this store opening.

Transparency over gameplay is another operational consideration

Beyond store numbers, it is worth considering how well customers understand the rules of the games. East Week reported that Hong Kong’s Consumer Council had urged claw machine operators to improve transparency by clearly explaining gameplay, operating mechanisms and the conditions for winning prizes. This is a consumer protection recommendation, not an indication that new franchise regulations accompanied the store opening.

For operators, clear gameplay instructions, readily accessible terms and consistent explanations from frontline staff are all points to check when assessing operational readiness. The size of a brand’s store network and customers’ ability to understand the conditions of each game are separate issues that need to be considered independently.

Practical takeaway: The tenth store in Kwun Tong confirms TAITO STATION’s latest expansion in Hong Kong. Prospective investors should verify brand expansion, franchise availability and individual-store returns separately: first establish the licensing and partnership arrangements, then assess local competition and operating costs.