Son Jin-wook (right), head of Mom’s Touch's Japan Office, and Yagi Zen, Doors CEO, pose for a photo during a signing ceremony in Shibuya, Japan, Tuesday. (Mom's Touch)
Son Jin-wook (right), head of Mom’s Touch's Japan Office, and Yagi Zen, Doors CEO, pose for a photo during a signing ceremony in Shibuya, Japan, Tuesday. (Mom's Touch)

South Korean food franchise Mom’s Touch said Wednesday that its Japanese subsidiary signed a franchise agreement with a local enterprise, Doors.

Established in 1929, Doors operates across diverse industries, including food service, beauty treatments, resorts and public infrastructure maintenance. With experience managing Korean-style barbecue restaurants in Iwate, Doors is expected to play a key role in the success of Mom’s Touch’s first franchise store in Japan.

Mom’s Touch opened its first Japanese branch in Shibuya last year, achieving steady customer growth over the past nine months. The store attracted 100,000 visitors within 40 days of opening and surpassed 500,000 customers after eight months.

Mom’s Touch is set to collaborate with experienced local corporations to ensure systematic management and operational expertise. “By combining our expertise with our partners’ local experience, we aim to create strong synergy,” said a Mom’s Touch official.

The company has been in talks with several Japanese firms and plans to open 30 additional stores by the end of this year. Target areas include major business districts in Tokyo, such as Harajuku, Shinjuku and Ikebukuro.

“Since entering the Japanese dining market in 2024, we have seen promising results. With the expansion of our franchise model, we anticipate even greater achievements this year,” the official added. “Currently, we’re focusing on market-specific strategies and exploring various business approaches, including mutual funds and joint ventures.”


en23mp@heraldcorp.com