Now in its 45th anniversary year, Edo Japan has more than 200 locations — and continues growing by around 15 to 20 each year
In 1972, Rev. Susumu Ikutu moved to Calgary from Vancouver to establish a Buddhist Temple — to support himself, he opened a small Japanese restaurant across from The Bay parkade.
In 1979, he introduced Edo Japan through its first food court location in Southcentre Mall.
Soon, he began franchising Edo, with the desire to bring Japanese cuisine to Canadians while also offering immigrants the opportunity to own their own business. His simple idea was to serve traditional Japanese Teppan-style, grilled-on-the-spot meals, made to order, using fresh, quality ingredients and his signature Teriyaki sauce.
Now in its 45th anniversary year, the company has more than 200 locations — and continues growing by around 15 to 20 each year.
Edo Japan kept him busy and, after it became recognized as a good franchise venture, looking after his temple flock and the business was just too much for Ikutu to handle. So he partnered with seasoned restaurateur Tom Donaldson (Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Moxies), who later purchased the business, allowing the founder to focus full time on his ministry.
Donaldson had 100 Edo Japan restaurants in Alberta by 2011, but after stepping away from day-to-day operations, the role of president and CEO was handed to Dave Minnett.
Minnett began his food services career while studying at McMaster University, working summers with Molson. After graduating with a bachelor of engineering management — followed by a McMaster MBA — he worked full time for Molson, rising to vice-president of marketing. He served as president of AMICA Mature Lifestyles, and Swiss Chalet, Harvey’s and Kelseys restaurants, before being persuaded to move out west and join Edo Japan with the opportunity to become part of the ownership group.
Under Minnett’s leadership the organization is continually growing. The classic dishes of teriyaki chicken and sukiyaki beef — quickly cooked on the teppan grill — remain as popular as ever, but grab-and-go items such as sushi and imported Japanese snacks have been added.
Quality and freshness of food is key, but much is also made of the selection and training of franchisees.
There is a demanding vetting process before new store owners are brought either to the Calgary head office or a company location in Ontario, where new franchisees undergo five or six weeks of training that includes a lot of in-store, hands-on experience. Wherever a customer eats across Canada, they expect the same dedication to service as well as the tastes of Japan they enjoy so much.
A restaurant was opened in The Core in downtown Calgary six months ago, though the majority are in suburban streetfronts across Western Canada.
There are also now 18 in Ontario, and Minnett says the company’s strategic growth plan is taking a keen interest in the Maritimes. The restaurant at the Calgary International Airport is the only one serving travellers and airport staff; its success means Edo Japan is also looking at other similar opportunities. In mid-September, Minnett will open his first store in Arizona using the same winning concept as here in Canada, and soon after two more will open in the greater Scottsdale area.
He knows the future of his company is in ensuring franchisees are successful business people, so his team offers ongoing oversight to ensure they are able to deliver more than 11 million meals each year to satisfied, returning customers.
There is a lot on his plate, but Minnett says he is well supported by an experienced executive team and a total staff of 40 — 28 of those housed in his Calgary head office.
They also manage the company’s charitable support in the communities it serves. Since 2010, through new store launches and annual giving campaigns, Edo Japan has supported Canadian Food Banks with donations of nearly $1 million.
Notes:
Platform Insurance Management, a leading P&C insurance brokerage with a vertical focus on construction, infrastructure and development, has opened a new office in Calgary. The seventh location across Canada, it furthers the company’s strategic growth plan, furthering its commitment to provide localized expertise and tailored solutions for clients countrywide. The Calgary office is headed by Fraser de Walle, who will oversee operations across Alberta; an industry veteran who serves as a board member of Attainable Homes Calgary Corp. and is past-chair of BILD Alberta Association.
David Parker appears regularly in the Herald. Read his columns online at calgaryherald.com/business. He can be reached at 403-830-4622.