Major Japanese Restaurant Chain Halts Operations Amid Pests Scandal

Following the discovery of pests, including a rat, in its food, Sukiya, a prominent Japanese restaurant chain, is closing nearly all its outlets for cleaning measures. The company has faced scrutiny and concern from customers, leading to significant operational changes.

Sukiya, a leading restaurant chain in Japan renowned for its beef-on-rice dishes, has announced it will temporarily close the majority of its nearly 2,000 outlets for a thorough cleaning after two alarming pest-related incidents. Customers found pests in their meals, including a rat discovered in a bowl of miso soup earlier this year. The temporary closures will occur from March 31 to April 4, as a precautionary measure to combat potential pest infestations.

The alarming situation first gained public attention when an insect, believed to be part of a cockroach, was found by a customer at a Tokyo location just weeks after rumors about the rat incident began circulating on social media. Sukiya issued a statement expressing regret for the distress and inconvenience caused to patrons.

In response to these incidents, the restaurant chain has taken proactive measures, including addressing structural issues in their buildings, regularly inspecting outlets for potential pests, and implementing strict waste management protocols. The company also noted that a pest-control team was deployed immediately following the recent findings.

Part of Zensho Holdings, Sukiya has had to contend with a decline in its share price following the rat revelation before seeing a modest recovery. The restaurant’s reputation now faces heightened scrutiny from both consumers and investors.