Japan’s Pepper Lunch opening units in Phoenix

Pepper Lunch, a Japanese-born fast casual with over 500 locations in 15 countries, has signed its first development agreement for North America since announcing its investment in domestic expansion earlier this year.

The B.I.D. Investment Group will open 10 units over the next five years in and around the Phoenix area with the first coming in late Q3, 2024. As a distributor of restaurant equipment across 18 states and 50 years of combined expertise across food and beverage, Jake Ireland, a managing partner of B.I.D. Investment Group, said the company has a deep understanding of the nuances that go into operating a successful fast casual brand.

“Our company operates in almost every aspect of the restaurant value chain, working to bring lower-cost solutions to the development of the market,” he said in a company press release. “Pepper Lunch’s value proposition, combined with the concept’s uniqueness and menu flavor profiles, has clearly positioned it to become America’s next big restaurant brand. There is simply nothing like this in Phoenix, and we know that residents are always looking for new, fun and exciting dining experiences. The area is also one of the fastest growing metros in the USA, driving the need for more dining options.”

“Pepper Lunch’s service and guest experience are unique and special, and the food is authentic, yet approachable,” Pepper Lunch CEO Troy Hooper said in the release. “We’re thrilled to kick off our domestic franchise expansion by partnering with industry veterans who understand the operational gameplan that leads to success.”