Subway, TGI Fridays Japan partner Watami aims to go private under founder

Restaurant group eyes pivot to broader strategy after management buyout Watami founder Miki Watanabe's asset management firm will seek full ownership of the restaurant group. (Source photos by Nikkei)

The Details

• Nikkei staff writers
• November 13, 2026 00:00 JST
• Updated on
• November 13, 2026 00:33 JST

TOKYO -- Japanese restaurant group Watami seeks to go private in a management buyout, with Chairman and CEO Miki Watanabe's asset management company planning a tender offer soon, Nikkei learned Thursday.

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