(Right) Hong Kong general manager of Warawara Takuya Tomiyama with InvestHK's John Rutherford at the opening of the Japanese restaurant.

Hong Kong general manager, Takuya Tomiyama, said in the long term the company expects to establish another 200 overseas restaurants by 2010. "In the near future, we aim to open 20 more restaurants in this city. Besides Warawara, our company will bring other restaurants to Hong Kong, using this excellent springboard for us to expand into the mainland market."

Mr. Tomiyama is very optimistic about the Hong Kong culinary market and said that Hong Kong consumers have a special passion for the refreshing and delicate flavours of Japanese cuisine. According to Mr. Tomiyama, the restaurant will provide a cozy environment and relaxing space for its customers. Warawara will also incorporate new elements and trendy ideas into the menu.

"Hong Kong will become our main base for business expansion outside Japan. Our mission is to provide products and services through continuous pursuit of customer satisfaction," Mr. Tomiyama added.

Invest Hong Kong's acting director-general John Rutherford said the opening of Warawara reinforces Hong Kong's reputation as a gourmet paradise.

"Hong Kong's international and multicultural environment makes it an ideal choice for foreign restaurants to establish overseas operations here. With increasing numbers of individual tourists coming from the mainland, restaurants can use a Hong Kong base to develop brand recognition within that consumer group. This should make it easier for restaurants like Warawara to quickly gain acceptance as they enter the Mainland market," added Mr Rutherford.

As of November 2004, Monteroza owns and manages 1,240 restaurants under 23 brand names, including Warawara, Shirokiya, Uotami, Tsukinoutage, Uoman and Dandan. Its net income in 2003 reached US$17.8 million.

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