Yakinori, a Birmingham-born independent Japanese restaurant brand, has opened its fourth restaurant in five years, after securing a £140,000 loan from HSBC UK.
Popular amongst customers for its fresh approach to Japanese cuisine, Yakinori has used part of the funding to rennovate a 3,000 sq.ft. premise in the Touchwood Shopping Centre, Solihull, including a new state-of-the-art commercial kitchen. The funding has also enabled additional investment in marketing collateral, to support the promotion of the official restaurant opening on 11 March.
Established in 2015, Yakinori has developed its portfolio of restaurants predominantly in the West Midlands and South West, with locations in Birmingham’s Grand Central, Selly Oak, as well as Park Street in Bristol. Known for producing a wide variety of staple Japanese dishes, such as Sushi and PokéNori, the new Yakinori restaurant in Solihull will create 18 full and part-time jobs.
Owner and founder, Ali Karakaya, hopes to expand the business beyond the West Midlands, to become a key player in the Japanese food market.
Commenting ahead of the opening, Ali Karakaya, owner and founder of Yakinori said: “As a Birmingham-born family, we’re thrilled to open another Yakinori restaurant close to home. We’re committed to offering the very best that Japanese food has to offer, with a great customer experience to match. Our ambition is to take the Yakinori brand nationwide, and with the support from our HSBC UK Relationship Manager, Pav Dheensa, we’re now one step closer to this goal.”
Mark Lupton, Area Director at HSBC UK Birmingham Business Banking, said: “HSBC UK has supported Yakinori since its first restaurant opened in 2015. Over this time, it has been great to see the company grow and it is a pleasure to lend further support for the new opening in Solihull. We wish the team the best of luck as they look to fulfill the huge demand across Birmingham and the West Midlands for outstanding oriental food.”
This funding is part of HSBC UK’s £1.1 billion lending fund to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the West Midlands, including £600 million for Birmingham businesses.
