Title: Noodle Empire Founder Achieves Billionaire Status with Global Chain Success
In a remarkable journey from college dropout to billionaire, Takaya Awata, the 61-year-old founder and CEO of Toridoll Holdings, has soared to success with his global noodle empire. Through his innovative Marugame Seimen restaurant chain, which specializes in udon noodles, Awata has amassed a fortune, currently owning a 48% stake in Toridoll valued at $1.1 billion.
Toridoll’s shares have experienced a remarkable surge of almost 50% this year as the pandemic subsided and the allure of dining out returned. As of last Friday, the company’s shares were trading at 3,930 Japanese yen (approximately $27).
Awata’s journey began when he ventured into the restaurant business after dropping out of Kobe City University of Foreign Studies in 1985. His first attempt with a grilled chicken eatery proved challenging, but he found inspiration during a visit to his father’s hometown in Kagawa prefecture, renowned for its bustling udon noodle shops. Witnessing customers lining up for the delightful chewy wheat-flour noodles ignited something within Awata, leading him to embark on his own noodle venture.
Establishing Toridoll in 1990, Awata focused on serving freshly cooked, aromatic delicacies, deviating from mass-produced noodles. The Marugame Seimen restaurants, known for their affordability and self-service model, offer customers an interactive experience by allowing them to witness the preparation process.
Under Awata’s guidance, Toridoll expanded its footprint beyond Japan’s borders, establishing the first Marugame Udon restaurant in Hawaii in 2011. Since then, the company has continued its expansion into China, Indonesia, and many other countries.
Awata’s philosophy of catering to local tastes came to the forefront with the opening of the first Marugame Udon restaurant in London in 2021. Even during the pandemic, his food truck provided free udon noodles to underprivileged children and healthcare workers in hospitals. Awata’s mission revolves around discovering hidden things and offering them as new value to generate joy in our customers.
Today, Toridoll stands as a global noodle powerhouse, boasting nearly 1,900 eateries worldwide. Alongside their udon noodle joints, they also offer a variety of other delicacies such as spicy Chinese rice noodles, ramen, and tempura.
Awata’s emphasis on authenticity and sensory experiences has resonated with diners across the globe, propelling Toridoll to further growth. The company has allocated over $650 million for mergers and acquisitions, with plans to expand across Europe, Asia, and Greater China. Their goal within the next five years is to have over 5,500 eateries and increase revenue to $2 billion.
As Toridoll continues its culinary expansion, it demonstrates that passion, innovation, and a commitment to providing an exceptional dining experience can transform a humble udon noodle into a globally loved dish. Takaya Awata’s journey from dropout to billionaire serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs and showcases the power of following one’s passion.
