******************************************************
Saizeriya Italian Restaurant Group (Saizeriya) opened a new restaurant today (December 1), bringing a new option for Italian cuisine to diners on Hong Kong Island. The latest restaurant, Saizeriya's sixth in Hong Kong, highlights the value of Invest Hong Kong's aftercare work with the group since it opened its first restaurant in the city in 2008.
Headquartered in Saitama, Japan, Saizeriya serves quality Italian food at affordable prices. With more than 900 outlets located in Japan, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Beijing, Shenzhen, Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong, the group is pursuing an ambitious expansion plan across Asia.
Saizeriya's business in Hong Kong has grown rapidly in the past two and a half years. The group now employs about 130 staff and has plans to open five more outlets in the city in 2011.
Commenting on its business strategies, Managing Director of Hong Kong Saizeriya Co Ltd, Mr Yasuhiro Hisamatsu, said, "Many older generations in Hong Kong still prefer Chinese food and it has taken a while for them to accept the western cuisine that we offer. Our strategy was to start with locations in high-density residential districts with affordable rent while offering customers quality food at competitive prices. As more people became aware of our brand, we expanded to Hong Kong Island where the rental costs are higher but a wider scope of customers can be reached. This strategy has proven successful."
Mr Hisamatsu added, "Hong Kong has a vibrant mix of cultures from different parts of the world. Our success in Hong Kong will become a key factor in expanding our business in other countries. We see Hong Kong has great potential to be a business hub for Saizeriya in Asia. Other than the retail business, we also consider using the city as an import trading hub for food products and as a capital-raising platform by listing in Hong Kong in the future."
Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, Mr Andrew Davis, congratulated Saizeriya on its business expansion in the city. He said, "Invest Hong Kong's services for overseas investors are long-term and sustainable. We welcomed Saizeriya when it set up its business presence in Hong Kong, and have given it support and assistance over the past two years as its business has grown.
"We thank Saizeriya for its successful investment in Hong Kong, which signifies a strong vote of confidence in our business environment. We look forward to its future expansion in our city and to providing it with further support," Mr Davis said.
About Saizeriya Italian Restaurant Group
Founded in Japan in 1967, Saizeriya Italian Restaurant Group serves healthy, delicious and quality Italian food at reasonable prices. The group has more than 900 outlets in Japan, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Beijing, Shenzhen, Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong. For more information, please visit www.saizeriya.co.jp.
About Invest Hong Kong
Invest Hong Kong is the department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government established in July 2000 to take responsibility for Foreign Direct Investment and support overseas, Mainland and Taiwanese businesses to set up or expand in Hong Kong. It provides free advice and customised services to help businesses succeed in Hong Kong's vibrant economy. As it celebrates its 10th anniversary, Invest Hong Kong has completed over 2,000 investment projects creating over 25,000 new jobs in the first year of operation or expansion and HK$52 billion of investment. For more information, please visit www.investhk.gov.hk.
Ends/Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Ends/Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Issued at HKT 14:00
NNNN
