BGC's Kiwami Is Opening a Branch in the North This Year

(SPOT.ph) The success of Kiwami's opening in BGC in 2021 was followed by an equally well-loved second branch at Alabang Town Center two years later. As greedy as it sounds, we can't help but ask: "Where will the next Kiwami open?" and more importantly, "Can it soon open in the north?"

We sat down with The Standard Hospitality Group CEO, John Concepcion, to get the lowdown on what their plans are for the Japanese dining food hall empire they've built.

Also read:
Fill Up on Yabu's Katsu, Ippudo's Ramen + More Under One Roof
LOOK: BGC's Famous Kiwami Is Now Open in Alabang

What's in store for The Standard Hospitality Group's Kiwami?

In an interview with Mr. John, he tells us that Kiwami is bringing in two new concepts in collaboration with foreign chefs. One launches in July and the other in November. We did try to fish for more information about the new concepts (roll for persuasion!), but he was adamant that "It's too early" to say anything that isn't set in stone. What we can expect is that it is something shiny and new.

"I personally like it. It's going to be kind of new in the market. I don't think anybody has that here yet. It will work with this whole thing," Mr. John says, as he gestures to the packed Kiwami BGC. This "work" only means that the two food concepts coming in will focus on Japanese cuisine—as the same goes with everything inside Kiwami. 

In case you haven't noticed the pattern of how Mr. John brings in concepts to Kiwami, it is that each store has its own specialty: Yabu is known for katsu, Ippudo for ramen, Japanese brand Hachibei is popular for yakitori, and Hannosuke for tempura, while Kiwami has its own line of items, including the famous Hokkaido soft serve. Staying true to bringing in food concepts with a Japanese mindset of mastering one dish, we can't help but feel extra, extra excited for what's to come.

Kiwami to open two more branches in Metro Manila

As for where the two new concepts will be, Mr. John says that Kiwami BGC, due to its limited space, will only have one of the two new concepts in a soon-to-be facelifted space. On the other hand, the Alabang Town Center branch will be expanding to fit both concepts. "We're going to expand Alabang Town Center. So the store adjacent there would fit the two new concepts," Mr. John shares.

At one point in our conversation, he mentions that "a lot of things are happening." An understatement, we realize, after he reveals that aside from working on two new food concepts, they are also opening two more Kiwami branches in Metro Manila—one of which is in the north.

They're opening a new Kiwami branch in Greenhills in November, then the fourth branch will open at Mall of Asia by the middle of 2025. Going by Mr. John's four-decade track record in the food business, this move to expand, of course, comes with strategy and aim of being sustainable.

"To me, a lot of people open [shops]. Easy. You either franchise it or they open it on their own. So I ask, 'Where are the brands ten years from now?' Many of them are not around anymore."

He adds, "It has to be sustainable. It cannot be 'open,' and then 'bahala na kayo.' If your systems are not there, if the people are not there, if you don't train them differently, it will come down. It's that skillset we want to be strong in in The Standard Hospitality Group."

And going by those Standards, it's no wonder how he was able to make Yabu, Ippudo, and Kiwami the success they are now.

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