Established
1994
Franchise Units
500
Minimum Investment
$400,000
Franchise Fee
$30,000
Total Investment Range
$750,000
Home Based
No
Description
Pepper Lunch is a globally recognized Japanese fast-casual restaurant brand built around a simple but powerful idea: premium-quality ingredients cooked fresh by the customer on a patented sizzling iron plate. This interactive teppan-style experience has made Pepper Lunch one of the most distinctive concepts in the fast-casual dining segment, blending speed, consistency, and theatre into every meal.
At its core, Pepper Lunch delivers affordable steak, chicken, seafood, and rice dishes prepared on a 500°F iron plate that continues cooking at the table. The result is bold flavor, visual appeal, and an engaging customer experience that stands apart from traditional quick-service or casual dining formats. The concept appeals strongly to younger demographics, urban professionals, families, and food-savvy consumers seeking high-quality meals without long wait times.
In the USA, Pepper Lunch is positioned as a scalable, international brand with strong unit economics, a streamlined kitchen model, and growing brand awareness driven by global credibility and social-media-friendly dining. For franchise investors looking to enter the premium fast-casual category with a proven international concept, Pepper Lunch represents a compelling opportunity backed by decades of operational refinement.
Why Invest in This Franchise?
Pepper Lunch offers a rare combination of global brand equity and operational simplicity, making it attractive to both first-time and experienced multi-unit franchise operators.
Key reasons investors choose Pepper Lunch include:
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Globally Proven Concept with hundreds of international locations
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Fast-Casual Efficiency supported by quick cook times and simplified kitchen operations
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Interactive Dining Experience that drives repeat visits and word-of-mouth marketing
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Premium Positioning at Accessible Pricing, appealing to a broad customer base
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Scalable Store Formats suitable for malls, urban centers, and lifestyle locations
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Attractive Unit Economics driven by strong throughput and labor efficiency
Background
Established Year: 1994
Founder: Kunio Ichinose
Pepper Lunch was founded in Japan with the goal of making high-quality steak affordable for everyday consumers. The brand’s founder developed a proprietary iron plate technology that allows meals to finish cooking at the table, reducing kitchen labor while enhancing flavor and customer engagement.
From its beginnings in Japan, Pepper Lunch expanded rapidly across Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and North America. Today, the brand operates 500+ restaurants worldwide, with a growing footprint in the United States, particularly in high-traffic urban and suburban markets. In the U.S., Pepper Lunch is positioned within the Japanese fast-casual and specialty dining segment, competing favorably with both Asian-inspired quick-service brands and Western fast-casual steak concepts.
The brand benefits from experienced international ownership and management teams with deep expertise in franchising, supply chain optimization, and multi-market expansion.
Support Training
Pepper Lunch provides structured, hands-on support throughout the franchise lifecycle to help operators launch confidently and scale effectively.
Pre-Launch Support
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Site selection and trade-area analysis
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Store design, layout planning, and kitchen workflow guidance
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Equipment specifications and approved vendor sourcing
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Assistance with licensing, permits, and pre-opening readiness
Training & Operations
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Comprehensive initial training for franchisees and managers
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On-site opening assistance and staff onboarding
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Detailed operational manuals and standardized procedures
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Ongoing performance reviews and quality assurance audits
Marketing & Brand Support
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Grand opening marketing strategies
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National and regional brand campaigns
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Digital and social media marketing frameworks
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Menu innovation and promotional planning
Ongoing Support
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Dedicated operational consulting
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Supply chain coordination and cost control guidance
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New product introductions and seasonal offerings
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POS systems and technology support
Ideal Candidate
Pepper Lunch is ideal for motivated entrepreneurs and investors seeking a differentiated fast-casual restaurant concept.
The best-suited franchisees typically have:
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Experience in restaurant, retail, or multi-unit operations
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Strong leadership and team-building skills
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Sufficient capital to fund build-out and early operations
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Interest in developing multiple units over time
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Access to high-traffic urban, suburban, or mixed-use locations
Both hands-on owner-operators and investors with experienced management teams can succeed within the Pepper Lunch system.
Financial Detail
| Cost Component | Estimated Amount (USD) |
|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $30,000 – $40,000 |
| Total Initial Investment | $400,000 – $750,000 |
| Minimum Investment Required | ~$400,000 |
| Build-Out & Infrastructure Costs | $250,000 – $450,000 |
| Kitchen Equipment & Iron Plate Systems | $80,000 – $120,000 |
| Furniture, Fixtures & Signage | $40,000 – $70,000 |
| Technology & POS Systems | $15,000 – $25,000 |
| Initial Inventory & Supplies | $15,000 – $25,000 |
| Marketing & Grand Opening Budget | $20,000 – $40,000 |
| Working Capital (3–6 Months) | $40,000 – $70,000 |
| Royalty Fee | 5% – 6% of gross sales |
| Brand / Marketing Fund Contribution | 1% – 2% of gross sales |
| Estimated Break-Even Period | 24 – 36 months |
| Expected ROI | Competitive fast-casual returns |
| Primary Revenue Streams | Dine-in, takeaway, delivery, add-ons |
Figures are estimates for the U.S. market and may vary based on location, store size, and operating model.
