Motsuyaki Ban opens second franchise in Hachioji, targeting 20 Kanto locations by summer 2027

Ban Co., Ltd opened Motsuyaki Ban Hachioji in Misakicho, Hachioji, Tokyo, on 26 September 2026. The brand’s second franchised outlet is in a busy commercial district, a five-minute walk from the north exit of JR Hachioji Station. Following its first franchise in a residential area, the opening extends the network into a different type of location. The company also plans to open in Omiya as it pursues expansion through both company-owned and franchised outlets across Kanto, the region encompassing Tokyo and its surrounding prefectures.

From a residential first location to a second in a busy district near a station

Motsuyaki Ban, a brand specialising in grilled offal, was founded in 1958. Its operator, Ban Co., Ltd, is led by representative director Masaru Matsumoto. In its announcement, the company describes the brand as the birthplace of the lemon sour, a Japanese alcoholic mixed drink. It is pursuing franchise expansion while seeking to preserve the flavours and culture developed over its long history.

The first franchised outlet, Shin-Kawasaki Kashimada, opened in June 2026. According to the company, this residential-area location made a strong start. The Hachioji outlet followed around three months later, taking the franchise network from a residential neighbourhood into a busy commercial district near a station.

The company expects Hachioji to attract more than local residents. It anticipates a broad customer base, including people stopping off after work or shopping. The announcement highlights these differences in location and expected customers as distinguishing features of the second opening.

However, the supplied announcement contains no specific sales, customer traffic or profit figures to support the description of Shin-Kawasaki Kashimada’s “strong” performance. That assessment should therefore be treated as the company’s account. The Hachioji opening demonstrates network expansion, but does not in itself establish profitability across different types of location.

Hachioji targets local residents and station users

The Hachioji outlet is in Misakicho, Hachioji, Tokyo, a five-minute walk from the north exit of JR Hachioji Station. The company describes the site as a busy commercial district near the station, presenting it as the next step after the residential-area Shin-Kawasaki Kashimada outlet.

The two settings imply different reasons for customers to visit. For Hachioji, the company specifically identifies visits by nearby residents alongside stops after work or shopping. It is therefore targeting both local customers visiting as part of their daily routines and people using the area around the station.

An opening promotion was also announced for 26–30 September. However, the supplied material does not confirm the details of the offer, so this article does not report discount amounts or eligible products. The planned promotion should also be considered separately from expectations for customer demand during normal trading.

For the franchise community, the point of interest is how the same brand defines its target customers across different locations. Based on the announcement, Hachioji is not simply another outlet in the same kind of setting as the first franchise: it extends the brand into a busy commercial district. However, no comparative information is provided on opening hours, outlet size or staffing, leaving limited scope to assess differences in the operating model.

Omiya planned for late October, with 20 Kanto locations targeted for the following summer

Following Hachioji, the company is preparing to open Omiya as its third franchised outlet. The opening is scheduled for late October 2026 in a busy commercial district near Omiya Station. It will follow the Shin-Kawasaki Kashimada and Hachioji franchise openings.

The company has also announced a target of 20 locations across Kanto by summer 2027. This is a combined target for company-owned and franchised outlets, not 20 franchises alone. The “second franchise opening” and the “20-location Kanto plan” refer to different measures, an important distinction when interpreting the figures.

The sequence set out in the announcement is a first franchise opening in June, a second in September, a third planned for late October, and then a 20-location Kanto network by the following summer. However, the supplied information does not disclose the intended split between company-owned and franchised outlets, all proposed sites or the opening timetable for each location.

The announcement also notes that opening dates and outlet numbers reflect plans as at 15 September 2026. The reported Hachioji opening should therefore be distinguished from the future plans for Omiya and the wider network: one is an opening reported as completed, while the others remain targets.

Preserving the brand’s flavours and culture while adapting to local areas

Ban Co., Ltd says it intends to develop outlets suited to their local areas while preserving the brand’s flavours and culture. It plans to expand gradually, primarily across Kanto, through both company-owned and franchised locations.

The latest opening can be seen as extending that approach beyond residential neighbourhoods into busy districts near stations. The announcement combines a commitment to retaining the characteristics of a long-established brand with an approach that considers the customer base in each area. However, the supplied material does not explain what will be adapted locally, or how far menus and outlet design will be standardised.

For prospective franchisees, the announcement offers insight into the company’s expansion strategy, rather than a complete basis for assessing franchise terms or making an investment decision. The supplied information does not include details of initial investment, royalties, payback periods or training. Network expansion plans and the commercial terms of operating an outlet should be examined separately.

This article is based on Ban Co., Ltd’s announcement about the Hachioji opening, published on 26 September 2026. For the franchise community, the next developments to monitor are whether the Omiya opening proceeds and how the 20-location Kanto plan takes shape.

Practical takeaway: When assessing a franchise opportunity or premises, look beyond the brand’s overall expansion targets. Check the performance of outlets in locations comparable to your proposed site, as well as the support and contractual terms offered by the franchisor.