Founded in 2012 by Emma Reynolds and Ken Yamada, Tonkotsu is a renowned ramen restaurant group specialising in authentic, high-quality Japanese cuisine. With a commitment to excellence, Tonkotsu crafts its own noodles daily and prepares broths and dishes from scratch, ensuring a superior dining experience. As of January 2025, Tonkotsu operates 18 restaurants across the UK, including locations in London, Brighton, Bristol, and Birmingham.
Tonkotsu
The retail rollout of a restaurant chain based on a Japanese ramen noodle concept.
Website
YFM investment
£5m
Investment date(s)
2019
Deal type
Growth Capital
Location
London
"This partnership will allow us to grow our business, enabling us to open a handful more Tonkotsus. Our commitment to the quality of our food, our homemade noodles and the way we treat our people, who are the heart of this business, has been fundamental from day one. We chose YFM as our partner as we felt they shared our ambition to grow the business in the right way to maintain the culture and the brand. "
Key Information
The Business
Why We Invested
In June 2019, YFM Equity Partners invested £5 million in Tonkotsu to support its growth strategy. This partnership aimed to double the number of restaurants, enhance home delivery services through platforms like Deliveroo and UberEats, and strengthen the management team to build the corporate infrastructure necessary for expansion.
Growth Potential
With YFM’s support, Tonkotsu is poised to:
- Accelerate growth: After developing a highly efficient and scalable business model.
- Reach a broader customer base: By increase the number of locations to reach a broader customer base.
- Establish and Build Delivery Services: Grow home delivery sales via partnerships with Deliveroo and UberEats.
Impact and Future Plans
Since the investment, Tonkotsu has continued to focus on delivering high-quality ramen and maintaining its distinctive brand identity. The partnership with YFM has facilitated the opening of multiple new locations, including restaurants in Brighton, Bristol, Clapham, Peckham and many others, contributing to the group’s growth and success.