Takeshi “Shin” Okawara, young businessman who became the manager of one of the first KFCs in Japan, shares the story of the struggles and triumphs of KFC in Japan. The podcast explores how KFC became a Christmas tradition in Japan and the challenges faced in opening KFC restaurants in the country. It also delves into the joint venture between KFC and Mitsubishi and the battle for independence of KFC Japan.
Marketing KFC as a Christmas tradition in Japan proved to be a successful strategy.
Shin's commitment to upholding the original two-step process of making KFC chicken showcased his dedication to Colonel Sanders' vision.
Deep dives
Shin tries to bring American fried chicken to Japan
In 1970, Takeshi Shin Okawara opens a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant in Nagoya, Japan, but struggles to attract customers.
Shin's Christmas party sparks an idea
Shin organizes a Kentucky Christmas party for a local Catholic school, where he dresses as Santa Claus and serves KFC chicken. He realizes the potential of marketing KFC as a Christmas tradition in Japan.
KFC's expansion and success in Japan
Shin and Loy Weston, the American businessman, work together to expand KFC in Japan. They implement a location factor for choosing new restaurant locations and make menu adjustments to suit local tastes.
Shin's fight to preserve the KFC recipe in Japan
After PepsiCo takes over KFC globally and plans to change the recipe, Shin refuses to adopt the new one-step process in his restaurants, upholding the original two-step process as dictated by the founder, Colonel Harlan Sanders.
Young businessman Takeshi “Shin” Okawara takes the gamble of a lifetime when he leaves a secure job to become the manager of one of the first KFCs in Japan. The bold step looks to be failing, until Shin has an idea to bring together fried chicken and Christmas.
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