Yakiniku Great

Yakiniku Great Franchise Opportunity for Japanese Food Investors

Yakiniku Great is a Japanese yakiniku restaurant brand operated by Imaginations, a company with restaurant operations in Japan and overseas. For investors exploring Japanese food franchise opportunities in the United States, the brand offers a specialized Japanese barbecue concept with international development experience behind it.

This page outlines the company behind Yakiniku Great, the franchise value, the support process, and the key cost items to confirm before moving forward.

About Imaginations: Operator of Yakiniku Great

Yakiniku Great's Restaurant Image
Image source: Yakiniku Great official website
(https://yakinikugreat.com.my/)

Imaginations is the company behind Yakiniku Great, a Japanese restaurant brand centered on yakiniku. The company presents yakiniku as its core business and operates restaurants in Japan and overseas.

For franchise investors, this background matters. A restaurant franchise depends not only on brand appeal, but also on store operations, training, quality control, and the ability to adapt the concept to local markets. Imaginations’ international presence gives prospective partners a useful starting point for evaluating whether Yakiniku Great fits their market.

Through the official franchise inquiry process, candidates may receive basic franchise conditions and revenue model information, and an invitation to visit the company as part of the evaluation stage.

The Value of Franchising with Yakiniku Great

Yakiniku Great's Restaurant Image
Image source: Yakiniku Great official website
(https://yakinikugreat.com.my/)

Yakiniku Great may appeal to investors who want to enter the Japanese food franchise market with a focused dining concept. Instead of offering a broad Japanese menu, the brand centers on yakiniku, a category with a clear dining experience and a distinct position within Japanese cuisine.

Why Customers Choose Yakiniku Great

Yakiniku Great offers a Japanese barbecue experience built around table grilling. Guests do more than order a finished dish; they take part in the meal, making the experience more interactive, social, and memorable.

For investors, that experience can make the concept easier to communicate in competitive restaurant markets. Yakiniku Great’s focus on yakiniku gives the brand a recognizable position beyond more familiar Japanese food categories such as sushi and ramen.

A Focused Concept for Franchise Expansion

A focused restaurant concept can make franchise evaluation clearer. Investors can assess whether the local market has demand for Japanese barbecue, whether suitable sites are available, and whether the dining format fits local customer behavior.

Yakiniku Great’s franchise process also gives candidates a structured path for early review. According to the official flow, applicants can submit an inquiry, review basic conditions, provide required documents, join discussions about the proposed opening area, and move toward a provisional agreement if both sides are aligned.

International Growth Potential for Japanese Dining

Yakiniku Great has been introduced in multiple overseas markets, helping investors evaluate it as an international franchise opportunity rather than a Japan-only concept.

For U.S.-based investors, this is important because overseas restaurant development involves more than translating a menu. Site selection, staff training, sourcing, customer education, and brand communication all need to be reviewed during the franchise discussion stage.

Yakinik Great’s Support Overview

Yakiniku Great’s official franchise process gives candidates several stages to review the opportunity before signing a provisional agreement. The exact scope of operational support should be confirmed with the latest franchise materials.

Before Opening

  • Provides basic franchise conditions after an initial inquiry
  • Shares revenue model information for candidate review
  • Provides an invitation to visit the company as part of the evaluation process
  • Reviews required documents, including the candidate’s business plan and financial statements
  • Conducts discussions and site-area review in the proposed opening region
  • Moves toward a provisional agreement when both parties agree on the basic direction

At Opening

  • Opening-stage support details should be confirmed in the latest official franchise materials
  • Investors should check whether training, store setup, supplier coordination, and launch support are included
  • Opening preparation should be reviewed together with market conditions, site requirements, and local operating needs

After Opening

  • Post-opening support details should be confirmed directly with Imaginations before signing
  • Investors should check whether ongoing operational guidance, quality control, menu updates, and marketing support are included
  • Royalty terms and ongoing obligations should be reviewed together with the full franchise agreement

Customer Feedback on Yakiniku Great

Yakiniku Great's Tripadvisor Rating

Yakiniku Great - Sheung Wan, Hong Kong 4.6 out of 5.0 (as of May 20, 2026)

Public customer feedback on Yakiniku Great appears to be very positive, with a 4.6 rating on Tripadvisor. Reviews consistently praise the high quality of the beef and the knowledgeable, attentive staff who guide diners on the precise cooking time for each cut. The omakase course is particularly well-received, with guests highlighting the variety of flavors throughout the meal and the memorable egg-dipped beef finale. The restaurant's lively yet casual atmosphere is also frequently mentioned as a draw.

Japanese BBQ with a twist

We didn't have a reservation - so lucky that we were able to eat here.

We ordered Omakase (Matsu) per person. And we were delighted with every course. Every meat comes with their own suggested dipping sauce. Every meat surprised us with how soft and tasty it was. The finale was dipped in an egg mixture which brought out the awesome taste of the beef.

I highly recommend this restaurant. Service was excellent. It is kinda pricey, but it was all worth the price.

Very good beef in a casual setting

Very good beef here and staff will tell you how many seconds on each side to be done “just right”. Not cheap but if you want good beef quality, casual environment, it’s highly recommended.

Must dine here if you like yakiniku

AS soon as you walk into this restaurant, you can feel the buzz. The ambiance is great and the servers are friendly and knowledgeable about the different cuts of meat. They explain in great detail about how long each cut of beef is to be cooked. For non beef eaters, they also offer chicken, pork and seafood. The lettuce salad and their fresh kimchi are so fresh and delicious--highly recommended! We had a very enjoyable meal here! Unfortunately, we were all too full to try out their desserts.

Must dine here!

Source: Tripadvisor (https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g294217-d7998126-Reviews-Yakiniku_Great-Hong_Kong.html)

Costs Associated with Opening and Franchising a Yakiniku Great Restaurant

Before investing in a Yakiniku Great franchise, candidates should confirm the latest cost information directly with the franchisor. Franchise fee, initial investment, and royalty terms may vary depending on the country, store size, location, build-out requirements, and final franchise agreement.

Franchise fee To be confirmed with the latest official franchise materials
Initial investment To be confirmed with the latest official franchise materials
Royalty To be confirmed with the latest official franchise materials

Basic Information on Yakiniku Great

Company Name Imaginations Co., Ltd.
Address (Japan Head Office) 2F, 3083 Tsurutacho, Utsunomiya-shi, Tochigi, 320-0851, Japan
Global Offices / Entities Hong Kong (Imaginations hong kong ltd), USA (IMG GLOBAL INC.)
Core Brands Yakiniku GREAT, Yakiniku Sho, Yakiniku TanTan, Sautel (Hotel with Sauna)
Operating Locations 12 active locations
Image source: Yakiniku Great official website
(https://yakinikugreat.com.my/)

Summary by the Editorial Team

Yakiniku Great is a Japanese yakiniku brand operated by Imaginations, a company with restaurant experience in Japan and overseas. For investors considering a Japanese food franchise in the United States, it is worth reviewing as a focused Japanese barbecue concept with international development experience.

Before making a decision, investors should confirm the latest franchise conditions, support details, investment requirements, and royalty terms directly with the franchisor.

Find the Best
Japanese Restaurant Franchise
for Your Market

Choose by area characteristics
Three Selected
Japanese Food Franchises

Even within Japanese food, the most receptive customer segments vary by genre. This section introduces recommended Japanese food genres based on the characteristics of the prospective area, along with Japanese franchise brands that already operate locations in the United States. The focus is on the food that can be offered by joining each franchise brand.

Target
Suburban Families
Yakiniku
Japanese BBQ
Features
Offers the fun of cooking at the table and a sense of occasion, making it ideal for family gatherings
Profitability
High average spend per customer, with additional revenue from alcohol sales
Operations
No special cooking skills are required as customers grill the food themselves.
Recommended Brand
Gyu-Kaku
Gyu-Kaku website
Source:Gyu-Kaku official website(https://www.gyu-kaku.com/)

Gyu-Kaku delivers authenticity through certified Japanese A5 Wagyu. By also featuring USDA Prime beef, they offer steakhouse-quality dining at accessible prices.

From import to processing, Japanese staff strictly manage quality at every step, delivering the same authentic flavor found in premium yakiniku restaurants in Japan.

Click to show financial details
Franchise fee $50,000
Initial investment Approx. $1,215,444 to $2,606,540
Royalty 5% on annual sales up to approx. $1,500,000
4.5% on annual sales from approx. $1,500,000 to $2,000,000
4% on annual sales over approx. $2,000,000
Number of restaurants 825 worldwide (including 63 in the United States and 580 in Asia)
TripAdvisor rating 4.3 out of 5.0 (442 reviews)*2
Target
Business Districts
Curry Rice
Japanese Curry
Features
A rice-and-curry combination served in a single dish, offering a filling and satisfying meal
Profitability
Customizable spice levels and toppings encourage repeat customers.
Operations
In-store preparation is simple, as ingredients are often pre-cut and only require heating before service
Recommended Brand
CoCo Ichibanya
CoCo Ichibanya
Source:CoCo Ichibanya official website(https://ichibanyausa.com/)

A wide range of toppings, from chicken katsu to omelets, ensures a fresh experience every visit, driving strong customer loyalty.

In addition to toppings, customers can adjust rice portions and spice levels, making the menu enjoyable for those who prefer milder flavors as well as those who want larger portions.

Click to show financial details
Initial franchise fee $40,000
Initial investment Not listed
Royalty Not listed
Number of restaurants 1,480 worldwide (including 11 in the United States and 1,467 in Asia)
TripAdvisor rating 4.3 out of 5.0 (41 reviews)*3
Target
Health-conscious affluent areas
Udon
Fresh Wheat Noodles
Features
Low in fat and calories, udon’s broth-based flavor profile is well received by health-conscious, affluent consumers.
Profitability
While unit prices are low, a high turnover rate can be expected.
Operations
Adopting a self-service style reduces the need for floor staff.
Recommended Brand
Marugame Udon
Marugame Udon
Source:Marugame Udon official website(https://ca.marugame.com/)

As a popular chain with 861 locations in Japan*1, franchisees are able to consistently serve udon noodles with a firm, chewy texture, supported by the headquarters after opening.

The noodle-making, boiling, and cooling processes are demonstrated in an open kitchen, allowing customers to enjoy a freshly made, live dining experience.

Click to show financial details
Franchise fee $40,000 to $64,000
Initial investment $1,126,500 to $1,980,000
Royalty 5% of sales
Number of restaurants 1,188 worldwide (including 23 in the United States and 1,155 in Asia)
TripAdvisor rating 4.5 out of 5.0 (108 reviews)*4

*1 Source: Marugame Udon official website(https://jp.marugame.com/shop/), as of a December 2025 survey

*2 TripAdvisor: New York City location, as of October 28, 2025(https://www.tripadvisor.jp/Restaurant_Review-g60763-d3175593-Reviews-Gyu_Kaku_Japanese_BBQ-New_York_City_New_York.html)

*3 TripAdvisor: Irvine location, as of October 28, 2025(https://www.tripadvisor.jp/Restaurant_Review-g32530-d9750729-Reviews-Coco_Ichibanya-Irvine_California.html)

*4 TripAdvisor: Los Angeles location, as of October 28, 2025(https://www.tripadvisor.jp/Restaurant_Review-g32655-d4019757-Reviews-Marugame_Monzo-Los_Angeles_California.html)

* TripAdvisor ratings are based on the highest-rated U.S. location.

*The number of restaurants is based on the following references. As of a December 2025 survey

Gyu-Kaku official website(https://www.gyukaku.ne.jp/world.php)

CoCo Ichibanya official website(https://www.ichibanya.co.jp/comp/ir/finance/highlight/graph01.html)

Marugame Udon official website(https://jp.marugame.com/shop/)