Editing Yoshinoya

{{about|the fast food chain|the Childish Gambino song|Bando Stone & the New World#Track listing}}
{{Short description|Japanese fast food restaurant chain}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Yoshinoya Holdings Co., Ltd.
| logo = Yoshinoya_Logo.svg
| logo_size = 
| image = Riverside Yomiuri Building (17582363).jpg
| image_size = 250px
| image_caption = Headquarters at Daiwa Rivergate
| type = [[Public company|Public]]
| traded_as = {{tyo|9861}}
| foundation = [[Tokyo]], [[Japan]] ({{Start date and age|1899}})
| founder = {{nihongo|Eikichi Matsuda|松田栄吉}}
| location = [[Kita, Tokyo]], [[Japan]]
| areas_served = East Asia<br>Southeast Asia<br>United States
| key_people = Shuji Abe, President and CEO
| num_locations = 1,211 (June 2023)<ref name="shoplist">{{cite web|url=https://www.yoshinoya-holdings.com/english/ir/report/shoplist.html|title=Number of Stores of the Group|website=Yoshinoya Holdings|access-date=12 July 2023}}</ref>
| industry = [[Foodservice]]
| products = [[Fast food]]
| revenue = 
| homepage = [http://yoshinoya.com yoshinoya.com]<br/>[http://YoshinoyaAmerica.com YoshinoyaAmerica.com]
}}

{{nihongo|'''Yoshinoya'''|吉野家}} is a Japanese [[multinational company|multinational]] [[fast food]] chain, and the second-largest chain of ''[[gyūdon]]'' (beef bowl) [[restaurant]]s. The chain was established in [[Japan]] in 1899. Its motto is "Tasty, low-priced, and quick".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yoshinoya.com/|title=吉野家公式ウェブサイト|publisher=吉野家公式ウェブサイト}}</ref>

==Etymology and logo==
The kanji [[:wikt:吉|吉]] (''yoshi'') means "[[luck]]" in Japanese, the kanji [[:wikt:野|野]] (''no'') means "[[wikt:field|field]]", and the kanji [[:wikt:家|家]] (''ya'') means "[[house]]".

The founder of the company, {{Nihongo|Eikichi Matsuda|松田栄吉}}, was from the former town of {{Nihongo|Yoshino|吉野町}} in [[Osaka Prefecture]], and a belief predominates that Yoshino is the origin of the name.<ref>[http://www.yoshinoya.com/faq/history.html "吉野家の歴史に関するご質問"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709184327/http://www.yoshinoya.com/faq/history.html |date=2011-07-09 }}. (Japanese) YOSHINOYA CO., LTD. Retrieved July 6, 2011.</ref>

In Japan, the nickname of the restaurant is {{Nihongo|2=吉牛|3=yoshigyū}}, which is an abbreviation of {{Nihongo3|Yoshinoya's gyūdon|吉野家の牛丼|Yoshinoya no gyūdon}}.

[[File:Yoshinoya old logo.svg|thumb|Old logo before the 2012 rebranding, still in use outside the US]]
[[File:Yoshina new logo.svg|thumb|Yoshinoya logo in the US]]
The logo of Yoshinoya depicts bull horns, and was created by Yoshinoya's founder Eikichi Matsuda. The stylized bull horns were derived from the shape of the  initial letter in Yoshinoya's English name, "Y". The rope surrounding the horns references Japanese sumo-wrestling, where the word "[[Makuuchi|Yokozuna]]" is equivalent to "winner," representing the quality of the food served in Yoshinoya. The surrounding rope is made up of 27 rice grains. The logo as a whole is meant to suggest that Yoshinoya sells the "best beef bowls".<ref name="yoshinoya-hk.com">Hong Kong Yoshinoya official website: {{cite web|url=http://www.yoshinoya-hk.com/en/ |title=Yoshinoya-HK Website |access-date=October 4, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011083437/http://www.yoshinoya-hk.com/en/ |archive-date=October 11, 2012 }}</ref>

==History==
Yoshinoya first opened in 1899 at the [[Nihonbashi]] fish market in Tokyo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yoshinoya.com/shop/tsukiji/|title=Tsukiji|access-date=April 10, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106035847/http://www.yoshinoya.com/shop/tsukiji/|archive-date=January 6, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="hit"/> When the market was devastated by the [[1923 Great Kantō earthquake|Great Kantō earthquake]], Yoshinoya moved to the new [[Tsukiji fish market]] in Tokyo in 1926.<ref name="hit">{{cite news |title=Yoshinoya hit hard |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes20040212-1.2.41.3 |work=The Straits Times |date=February 12, 2004}}</ref>

The chain opened its first 24-hour store in 1952.{{citation needed|date=April 2018}}

On December 27, 1958, the chain's business model was changed from self-employed restaurants to a stock company, as an attempt to gain more profit.{{citation needed|date=April 2018}}

In 1965, the chain earned a million dollars in sales, which led to the idea of expanding the chain's operations in Japan.{{citation needed|date=April 2018}}

The chain's first [[Franchising|franchised]] store was opened in [[Shinsaibashi]], in 1968.{{citation needed|date=April 2018}}

In 1975, the first American store of the fast-food chain was opened in [[Colorado]].{{citation needed|date=April 2018}} In the early 2000s, Yoshinoya, along with other chains such as [[McDonald's Corporation|McDonald's]], triggered a price war in Japan by introducing a regular beef bowl dish for {{¥|280|link=yes}}, or around {{US$|3|link=yes}}.<ref>{{Cite news|title = No sacred cows in Japan's beef bowl war|url = http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/04/28/reference/sacred-cows-japans-beef-bowl-war/|newspaper = The Japan Times Online|date = 2014-04-28|access-date = 2015-10-06|issn = 0447-5763|language = en|first = Kazuaki|last = Nagata}}</ref>

==Locations==
[[Image:Grilled beef set meal of Yoshinoya.jpg|thumb|left|A Yoshinoya meal]]
Yoshinoya has a chain of stores in [[Japan]], the [[United States]], [[Cambodia]], [[China]], [[Indonesia]], [[Mongolia]], [[Philippines]], [[Singapore]], [[Taiwan]], and [[Thailand]]. Its [[Malaysia]]n branch closed down in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-27 |title=Yoshinoya Hanamaru In Mid Valley Megamall Has Already Closed Down |url=https://hype.my/2021/247572/yoshinoya-hanamaru-mid-valley-megamall/ |access-date=2023-04-14 |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Japan===
[[Image:NGO Atsuta Jingu 2-chome 20230217-01.jpg|thumb|Yoshinoya in [[Nagoya]]|alt=]]
In its restaurants in Japan, tables are often counters, and in that case, they take orders over those counters. [[Chopsticks]] are provided. The menu includes {{Nihongo|standard-serving|並盛|namimori|or ''nami''}}, {{Nihongo|large-serving|大盛|ōmori}}, or {{Nihongo|extra-large-serving|特盛|tokumori}}<ref>[http://www.yoshinoya.com/menu/don/gyudon.html "吉野家メニュー： 牛丼・牛皿"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170711055129/https://www.yoshinoya.com/menu/don/gyudon.html |date=2017-07-11 }}. (Japanese) YOSHINOYA CO., LTD. Retrieved July 6, 2011.</ref>  beef bowls, {{Nihongo|pork bowls|豚丼|butadon}},<ref>[http://www.yoshinoya.com/menu/don/butadon01.html "吉野家メニュー： 豚丼・豚皿"]. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709203641/http://www.yoshinoya.com/menu/don/butadon01.html|date=July 9, 2011}} (Japanese) YOSHINOYA CO., LTD. Retrieved July 6, 2011.</ref> raw eggs (to stir and pour on top, sometimes mixed with [[soy sauce]]), {{Nihongo|soft-boiled eggs|半熟玉子|hanjuku tamago}}, [[miso soup]] and [[tsukemono|pickles]] (called ''oshinkō'' [お新香] in its menu; a kind of ''[[asazuke]]''). They also serve red ginger (''[[beni shōga]]''), spice, and {{Nihongo|[[Japanese green tea|Japanese tea]]|お茶|ocha}} free of charge. Some menus including raw eggs and miso soup can be taken out.<ref name="menu03">[http://www.yoshinoya.com/menu/sidemenu/index.html "吉野家メニュー： サイドメニュー"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709162728/http://www.yoshinoya.com/menu/sidemenu/index.html |date=2011-07-09 }}. (Japanese) Yoshinoya Co. Retrieved July 6, 2011.</ref>

Some customers make special requests at no extra charge such as: {{Nihongo|extra gravy sauce|つゆだく|tsuyudaku}}, {{Nihongo|extra onions|ねぎだく|negidaku}}, {{Nihongo|without gravy sauce|つゆ抜き|tsuyunuki}}, {{Nihongo|no onions|ねぎ抜き|neginuki}},<ref name="吉野家の牛丼">吉野家の牛丼、頼み方は72種類 (2008). Retrieve June 19, 2011, from http://www.gamenews.ne.jp/archives/2008/03/72_1.html</ref> {{Nihongo|egg-yolk only|黄身だけ|kimidake}} and {{Nihongo|less rice|軽いの|karui no|literally "light one"}}.

On June 14, 2011, Yoshinoya in Japan started serving {{Nihongo|eel bowls|鰻丼|[[unadon]]}} as a standard seasonal menu to be offered until the latter part of July.<ref>[http://www.yoshinoya-holdings.com/holdings/pdf/2011/110609.pdf "吉野家 夏の定番メニュー 「鰻丼」期間限定発売のお知らせ"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130113090332/http://www.yoshinoya-holdings.com/holdings/pdf/2011/110609.pdf |date=2013-01-13 }}. (Japanese) (pdf) YOSHINOYA HOLDINGS. June 9, 2011. Retrieved July 5, 2011.</ref>

===United States===
[[File:Yoshinoya in California.jpg|thumb|left|Yoshinoya in California]]
Yoshinoya entered the United States opening a corporate office in [[Denver]] in 1973, and then its first retail location in Denver in 1975.<ref name="history" /> (This location later became "Kokoro", a similar restaurant run by Mas Torito who had previous experience at a location in Japan.) Yoshinoya is currently only present in California. A location in [[Las Vegas, Nevada]], went out of business in February 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yelp.com/biz/yoshinoya-las-vegas|title=Yoshinoya - CLOSED - University - Las Vegas, NV|website=Yelp}}</ref> A location in [[Goodyear, Arizona]], opened in 2008, but went out of business in December 2011.  A [[Dallas]] location that opened in June 2011 was Yoshinoya's first venture into [[Texas]],<ref>{{cite web |author=Teresa Gubbins |date=May 16, 2011 |title=Yoshinoya Beef Bowl to open first Texas branch in Dallas |website=Pegasus News |url=http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2011/may/16/yoshinoya-beef-bowl-california-open-dallas/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110519005448/http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2011/may/16/yoshinoya-beef-bowl-california-open-dallas/ |archive-date=May 19, 2011 |url-status=dead |access-date=May 24, 2011}}</ref> but it went out of business in December of that year.{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}} The first location east of the [[Mississippi River]] opened on [[42nd Street (Manhattan)|42nd Street]] off [[Times Square]], [[New York City]], in 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yoshinoyaamerica.com/history.php|title=Yoshinoya|access-date=23 December 2015}}</ref>  Two more stores opened in other [[Manhattan]] locations, but Yoshinoya later filed for [[Chapter 11 bankruptcy]] in 2008,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2008/06/19/business/yoshinoya-n-y-seeks-protection/|title=Yoshinoya N.Y. seeks protection|date=June 19, 2008|access-date=June 4, 2023|website=The Japan Times|language=en|archive-date=June 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604142036/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2008/06/19/business/yoshinoya-n-y-seeks-protection/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and later all the New York City stores went out of business by January 2012.

In March 2020, as a result of the [[COVID-19]] pandemic, indoor dining was temporarily abandoned, with [[take-away]], drive-thru or pick-up service still available.

The main menu in the United States includes the beef bowl, chicken bowl, combo bowl, and shrimp bowl, along with soup and desserts, and has variations such as "beef with vegetables bowls", "[[teriyaki]] chicken bowls", and [[barbecue]]-style plates. Skinless chicken is available upon request. [[Tempura]] bowls are no longer available. The menu of Yoshinoya in the U.S. is similar to that in Japan. At a basic level, both companies serve several recipes over a bowl of rice, which includes the trademark beef bowl with very thinly sliced beef plus light sauce and onions.

===Taiwan===
Yoshinoya entered the Taiwanese market in 1987 with the establishment of Taiwan Yoshinoya Co., Ltd. through a joint venture. It opened its first Asian branch outside Japan along Guanqian Road in [[Zhongzheng District]], [[Taipei]] in 1988.<ref name="history" />

===China===
[[Image:A YOSHINOYA RESTAURANT AT XINZHOU ROAD, FUTIAN DISTRICT, SHENZHEN.jpg|thumb|Yoshinoya restaurant in [[Futian District]], [[Shenzhen]]]]
Yoshinoya opened its first Chinese branch at [[Wangfujing]], [[Beijing]] in 1992.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yoshinoyachina.com/queryAllHistory.action|title=关于吉野家|language=zh|access-date=July 12, 2023|website=吉野家（中国）投资有限公司--关于吉野家|archive-date=April 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406214518/http://www.yoshinoyachina.com/queryAllHistory.action|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was later expanded beginning in 2002, the year of opening of its branches in [[Shanghai]] (flagship branch) and [[Shenzhen]].

In 2015, Yoshinoya China Holdings Co., Ltd. was established.<ref name="history">{{cite web|url=https://www.yoshinoya-holdings.com/english/company/oversea/date.html|title=History of Overseas Expansion|website=Yoshinoya Holdings|access-date=12 July 2023}}</ref> As of 2021, there are 390 Yoshinoya branches in China. That same year, Hop Hing Group Holdings, the operator of Yoshinoya and [[Dairy Queen]] in China, decided to go private.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Food-Beverage/Chinese-operator-of-Yoshinoya-and-DQ-to-go-private|title=Chinese operator of Yoshinoya and DQ to go private|first=Takeshi|last=Kihara|work=Nikkei Asia|access-date=12 July 2023|date=8 September 2021}}</ref>

===Hong Kong===
[[Image:HK 灣仔北 Wan Chai North 港灣道 Harbour Road 新鴻基中心 Sun Hung Kai Centre mall Yoshinoya Restaurant evening July 2020 SS2 16.jpg|thumb|left|Yoshinoya restaurant at Sun Hung Kai Centre Shopping Arcade, [[Hong Kong]]]]
The [[Hong Kong]] division of Yoshinoya was founded in 1991. Currently, 50 Yoshinoya food stores are split among three main areas:<ref name="shoplist" /> the [[Hong Kong Island|Hong Kong]] branch, the [[New Territories]] branch, and the [[Kowloon]] branch. Fourteen stores are in the Hong Kong branch, 21 stores are in the New Territories branch, and 22 stores are in the Kowloon branch. Each Yoshinoya food store has five working positions: store manager, supervisor, customer service assistant, crew, and production assistant.<ref name="yoshinoya-hk.com" />

Unlike the Yoshinoya in Japan, stores in Hong Kong do not provide table services. Customers order their food at a cashier and collect their food on a tray there, which is the same as in Western fast-food stores and international Food Court outlets elsewhere.

===Philippines===
[[File:Caloocan Malabon Areas 18.jpg|thumb|Yoshinoya restaurant at [[SM City Grand Central]], [[Caloocan]]]]
In 1992, the first Philippine franchisee of Yoshinoya was established, with its first store at [[Robinsons Galleria]], [[Quezon City]] that opened on June 12.<ref name="history" /> However, it operated until October 1993. It later changed to direct management.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.immigration.gov.tw/NewsSection/Detail/9a78388b-e784-46de-b520-206fd21ab359?category=6&lang=EN|title=Yoshinoya collaborates with Jollibee in Philippines|date=March 7, 2021|access-date=July 11, 2023|website=Taiwan Immigrants' Global News Network}}</ref>

In 2001, Yoshinoya re-entered the Philippine market through a joint-venture between Yoshinoya and the Century Pacific Group named Yoshinoya Century Pacific Inc. Its first store since re-entry opened in Metro Point Mall, [[Pasay]] on December 15, 2001.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yoshinoya-holdings.com/english/company/oversea/date.html|title=History of Overseas Expansion|website=yoshinoya-holdings.com}}</ref>

In 2021, following the end of the partnership between Yoshinoya and the Century Pacific Group, Yoshinoya formed a new joint-venture with [[Jollibee Foods Corporation]] that would serve as the next franchisee of Yoshinoya in the Philippines.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Venzon |first1=Cliff |title=Fast-food giants Jollibee and Yoshinoya team up in Philippines |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Business-deals/Fast-food-giants-Jollibee-and-Yoshinoya-team-up-in-Philippines |access-date=16 February 2021 |work=Nikkei Asia |date=16 February 2021}}</ref> Under the new deal, there are plans to open 50 stores in the country in the long-term.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fenol|first1=Jessica |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/02/16/21/jollibee-partners-with-yoshinoya-for-first-ever-japanese-food-chain-venture|title=Jollibee partners with Yoshinoya for 'first ever' Japanese food chain venture|website=[[ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs]] |date=February 16, 2021 |access-date=February 16, 2021}}</ref>

As of 2023, there are seven Yoshinoya stores operating in the Philippines.<ref name="shoplist" />

=== Indonesia ===
[[File:Yoshinoya at Grand Indonesia.jpg|thumb|Yoshinoya restaurant at Grand Indonesia]]
In October 1993, Yoshinoya signed a franchise contract with a leading Indonesian company. The first Indonesian branch opened at [[Pondok Indah Mall]], [[South Jakarta]]. However, it operated until July 1998.

In 2009, Yoshinoya re-entered the Indonesian market through another franchise agreement, this time with Multirasa Nusantara Co., Ltd. In October 2010, its first branch since re-entry opened at [[Grand Indonesia Shopping Town]], [[Central Jakarta]].<ref name="history" /> As of November 2024, there are 169 Yoshinoya stores in Indonesia in the [[Jakarta metropolitan area|Greater Jakarta Metropolitan Area]], [[Surabaya]], [[Bandung]], [[Bali]], [[Semarang]], [[Yogyakarta]], [[Medan]], [[Surakarta|Solo]], [[Malang]], [[Makassar]], [[Manado]], [[Palembang]], [[Pekanbaru]], [[Pontianak]], [[Banjarmasin]], [[Balikpapan]], [[Samarinda]], [[Lombok]], [[Lampung]], [[Bengkulu]], [[Cikarang]], [[Karawang]], [[Garut Regency|Garut]], [[Kudus Regency|Kudus]], [[Madiun]], [[Kediri (city)|Kediri]], [[Batu (city)|Batu]], [[Sidoarjo]], [[Mojokerto]], [[Gresik]], [[Jember]], and [[Singkawang]].<ref name="shoplist" />

=== Singapore ===
[[File:Yoshinoya SG - panoramio.jpg|thumb|Yoshinoya in Singapore]]
In 1997, Yoshinoya entered the Singaporean market through a franchise agreement with Wing Tai Investment & Development Pte. Ltd.<ref>{{cite news |title=Wing Tai to run Japanese fast-food chain |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19970528-1.2.60.6?qt=yoshinoya&q=yoshinoya |work=The Straits Times |date=May 28, 1997}}</ref> In the same year, it opened its first two branches; the first is located at [[Ngee Ann City]] (opened in September)<ref>{{cite news |title=Wing Tai clinches Japanese fast-food chain franchise |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes19970528-1.2.33.7.4?qt=yoshinoya&q=yoshinoya |work=Business Times (Singapore) |date=28 May 1997}}</ref> and the second one is at Scott's Picnic. In 2016, Wing Tai sold the whole shares of the Singaporean franchise to Asia Yoshinoya International Sdn. Bhd. to make it as a subsidiary.<ref name="history" /> As of 2023, there are 11 Yoshinoya stores in Singapore.<ref name="shoplist" />

=== Cambodia ===
In 2013, the first Yoshinoya franchise in [[Cambodia]] opened on King's Road in [[Siem Reap]] with a franchise agreement signed with Meas Development Co., Ltd.<ref name="shoplist" />

There are currently around two Yoshinoya stores in [[Cambodia]] as of September 2022, with both of them being located in [[Phnom Penh International Airport]] and [[Siem Reap International Airport]].

==Impact of BSE==
In late 2001, a domestic [[bovine spongiform encephalopathy]] (BSE) incident critically damaged beef bowl sales. In late 2003, Japan suspended [[US beef imports in Japan|imports of American beef]] due to a BSE incident in Washington, cutting off Yoshinoya's main source of [[plate steak|short plate]] (fatty beef) that is the main component of its beef bowl. This forced Yoshinoya to terminate beef bowl sales in Japan for the first time in its history on February 11, 2004.

News of the removal of this item from Yoshinoya's menu caused its fans and non-fans alike to queue in massive lines at its restaurants all around Japan to taste what might be their last beef bowl for a long time.{{Citation needed|date=January 2019}} Yoshinoya then switched to serving pork bowl (''butadon'') instead of beef. However, its restaurants in the United States continued to serve the beef bowl using American short plate. From December 2, 2004, restaurants in Japan started serving {{Nihongo|"beef ''[[yakiniku]]'' bowls"|牛焼肉丼|gyū-yakiniku-don}}, which use Australian beef, a different sauce, and additional vegetables.<ref>Press release {{cite press release |date=November 25, 2004 |script-title=ja:野家の「 牛焼肉丼」（ぎゅうやきにくどん）全国で販売開始 |language=ja |trans-title=Noya's 'Gyuyaki Nikudon' is now on sale nationwide |publisher=Noya D&C Co., Ltd |url=http://www.yoshinoya-holdings.com/dc/2004/pdf/041125.pdf |access-date=April 10, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522034513/http://www.yoshinoya-holdings.com/dc/2004/pdf/041125.pdf |archive-date=May 22, 2011 }} (Retrieved on April 10, 2010)</ref> These bowls differed from original "beef bowls", which use American beef.

[[Image:GyudonLine.jpg|thumb|People lining up on the day of {{Nihongo|"the beef bowl revival festival"|牛丼復活祭|}} in 2006, near [[Teradachō Station]], Osaka]]In December 2005, Japan agreed to remove the restriction on importing beef from the United States. A letter to customers was then put up in restaurants, promising that the beef bowl would return in a few months. In January 2006, imports stopped again because inspectors found banned cattle parts in a veal shipment from the United States. In June 2006, Japan lifted the ban on imports again, and on July 31, 2006, Yoshinoya reposted the letter promising to resume serving the beef bowl in about two months.{{citation needed|date=April 2018}}

On September 18, 2006, Yoshinoya brought back their beef bowl for one day as {{Nihongo|"the beef bowl revival festival"|牛丼復活祭|gyūdon fukkatsusai}}. This "revival", however, meant that its beef bowls would be available only the first five days of the month in October and November. On December 1, 2006, they began serving beef bowls daily, albeit at limited hours. These hours were extended once during special campaigns in February and December 2007. By March 17, 2008, Yoshinoya announced that they would resume 24-hour sales of the beef bowl, rolling out through their then 1040 stores nationwide through March 20, 2008. An announcement of banned cattle products in a [[California]]n beef import on April 21, 2008, did not halt the company's plans, as they felt they had enough stock from other sources to avoid a recall.{{citation needed|date=April 2018}}
==Controversies==
In August 2008, three Yoshinoya employees in Hong Kong including the store's manager were arrested after gang-raping another employee. Footage of the incident was uploaded to the internet.<ref>{{cite web|last=NNA Asia|title=吉野家の女性店員暴行、容疑3店員が初公判|url=http://news.nna.jp/free/news/20080917hkd003A.html|access-date=23 April 2022|website=NNA Asia|language=ja|archive-date=3 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160103151938/http://news.nna.jp/free/news/20080917hkd003A.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2019, Yoshinoya outlets in Hong Kong were targeted to be [[boycotted]] and [[vandalized]] by anti-government protesters during [[2019–20 Hong Kong protests]]. Hop Hing Group, based in Hong Kong, is the licensed franchise of Yoshinoya in the city and [[Mainland China]] (Beijing and the cities in Southeast China). Its [[CEO]], Marvin Hung, was criticized by protesters for attending a rally for [[Hong Kong police]] organized by [[Pro-Beijing camp (Hong Kong)|pro-Beijing camps]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hinata |first1=Yusuke |title=Hong Kong protesters trash Starbucks and Yoshinoya |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Hong-Kong-protests/Hong-Kong-protesters-trash-Starbucks-and-Yoshinoya |work=[[Nikkei Asia]] |date=October 3, 2019}}</ref>

Another major reason that caused the boycott of Yoshinoya is an advertisement posted on Facebook in July 2019. The advertisement featured a traditional Japanese food, ''chikuwa''; in Cantonese, the word sounds similar to "dog that tears paper". As this advert was published after police removed messages on a [[Lennon Wall (Hong Kong)|Lennon Wall]] in Tai Po, the advertisement was then regarded as poking fun at the police. The staff from Social Strategy Hong Kong who helped create the advertisement was sacked afterwards. Hence, protestors thought that Yoshinoya was politically biased and suppressed freedom of speech. Citizens in support of the protests then started boycotting Yoshinoya.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3018423/yoshinoya-hong-kong-steams-local-advertising-agency|title=Yoshinoya steams at ad agency as extradition rows rock workplaces|date=2019-07-12|website=South China Morning Post|language=en|access-date=2020-03-03}}</ref>

On April 16, 2022, Yoshinoya managing director Masaaki Itō attracted controversy over his statements as an instructor during a [[Waseda University]] marketing course. During the first class while covering marketing strategies for young female consumers Itō reportedly described a "drug-addled virgins strategy" stating: "You have these women straight out of the countryside who don't know left or right, while they're virgins you get them hooked on [[gyudon]] like a [[methamphetamine]] addiction. Once a man starts paying for their expensive dinners they'll never eat with us again."<ref>{{cite web|last=Mainichi Shinbun|title=吉野家、取締役の不適切発言で謝罪 「生娘を薬漬けのように牛丼中毒に」|url=https://mainichi.jp/articles/20220418/k00/00m/040/150000c|access-date=18 April 2022|website=Mainichi Shinbun|language=ja}}</ref> Students' shocked reactions were uploaded to Facebook and attracted fierce criticism online. One user wrote "Let's deconstruct this remark – he showed contempt for women, young people, people from rural areas and his own company's products. In short, he pretty much insulted most of his company's customers."<ref name="reuters.com">{{cite news|title=Japan beef bowl company sacks director for remark on getting women "hooked"|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-japan-beefbowl/japan-beef-bowl-company-sacks-director-for-remark-on-getting-women-hooked-idUSKCN2MB09O|access-date=20 April 2022|publisher=Reuters|date=19 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref> The course tuition reportedly cost 36,500 yen over 29 days. On April 18, 2022, Yoshinoya issued a public apology, calling Itō's statements "profoundly inappropriate".<ref>{{cite web|last=Yahoo News|title=吉野家、役員の不適切発言謝罪 「生娘を薬漬けのように牛丼中毒に」|url=https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/a4c4caa4eb8a71930ebb9a8120475d405d32d354|access-date=18 April 2022|website=Yahoo News|language=ja|archive-date=18 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418111023/https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/a4c4caa4eb8a71930ebb9a8120475d405d32d354|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Nikkei|title=吉野家、取締役の不適切発言で謝罪 「生娘を薬漬けのように牛丼中毒に」|url=https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOUC185BP0Y2A410C2000000/|access-date=18 April 2022|website=Nikkei|date=18 April 2022 |language=ja}}</ref> Itō joined the company in 2018, previously vice-president at [[Procter & Gamble]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Tokyo Shinbun|title=吉野家、役員の不適切発言謝罪 「生娘を薬漬けのように牛丼中毒に」|url=https://www.tokyo-np.co.jp/article/172468/|access-date=18 April 2022|website=Tokyo Shinbun|language=ja|archive-date=18 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418062419/https://www.tokyo-np.co.jp/article/172468|url-status=dead}}</ref> On April 19, 2022, the company announced Itō's dismissal, calling that his statements "could not be tolerated from the point of view of human rights and gender issues".<ref>{{cite web|last=Asahi Shinbun|title=吉野家HD、不適切発言の常務取締役を解任 「到底許容できない」|url=https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASQ4M44F2Q4MULFA00F.html|access-date=25 May 2023|website=Asahi Shinbun|date=19 April 2022 |language=ja}}</ref><ref name="reuters.com" /> The controversy led to Yoshinoya suspending an upcoming marketing campaign starring [[Nicole Fujita]] and rollout of a new product that took 10 years to develop.<ref>{{cite web|last=Asahi Shinbun|title=吉野家常務発言で新商品発表会が前日に中止 10年かけ開発の親子丼|url=https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASQ4L6WBCQ4LULFA02G.html|access-date=25 May 2023|website=Asahi Shinbun|date=18 April 2022 |language=ja}}</ref>

== Gallery ==
<gallery class="center" caption="" widths="200px" heights="140px"> 
<!-- <gallery mode="packed"> -->
Image:Yoshinoya Shop.jpg|Yoshinoya restaurant at [[Nagahori]], [[Osaka]], in 2005
Image:YoshinoyaGyudonFair.jpg|Yoshinoya restaurant in Teradachō, [[Osaka]], on September 18, 2006
Image:Yoshinoya Kumamoto Japan.jpg|Inside Yoshinoya in [[Kumamoto]] city
Image:HK CWB 銅鑼灣 Causeway Bay 駱克道 499 Lockhart Road 京都廣場 Kyoto Plaza basement shop 吉野家 Yoshinoya Restaurant April 2020 SS2 02.jpg|Yoshinoya self-ordering kiosks at Kyoto Plaza, [[Hong Kong]]
Image:RED BULL AIR RACE CHIBA 2017-10 (34700922690).jpg|Yoshinoya food truck
Image:Yoshinoya at Tsukiji fish market by supermatsubokkuri.jpg|The flagship restaurant in [[Tsukiji fish market]] in Tokyo
Image:Historyboard, The headstore of YOSHINOYA, TSUKIJI.JPG|Greetings to customers at the flagship restaurant
Image:GyudonBanner.jpg|Free banner given to customers in "the beef bowl revival festival" on September 18, 2006
</gallery>

==See also==
{{Portal|Tokyo|Companies|Food}}
* [[List of Japanese restaurants]]
*[[Donburi]]
*[[Yakiniku]]
*[[Matsuya Foods|Matsuya]]
*[[Sukiya (restaurant chain)|Sukiya]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Yoshinoya}}
* [http://www.yoshinoya.com/ Yoshinoya Co., LTD.] {{in lang|ja}}
* [http://www.yoshinoya-holdings.com/ Yoshinoya Holdings Co., LTD.] - [https://www.yoshinoya-holdings.com/company/officer.html Executive board members] {{in lang|ja}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160305055538/http://bngames.basicallynothing.com/region-locked-yoshinoya-the-videogame/ "Yoshinoya: The Videogame - Video Review"] at [http://www.BN-Games.com "BN-Games.com] {{in lang|en}}

{{Food chains in Japan}}
{{Fast-food chains of the United States}}
{{Food chains in Taiwan}}
{{Hong Kong restaurants}}
{{Jollibee}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Fast-food chains of Japan]]
[[Category:Japanese restaurants]]
[[Category:Restaurants in China]]
[[Category:Restaurants in Japan]]
[[Category:Restaurant chains in Malaysia]]
[[Category:Restaurant chains in Singapore]]
[[Category:Restaurant chains in Taiwan]]
[[Category:Fast-food chains of Singapore]]
[[Category:Fast-food chains of Taiwan]]
[[Category:Fast-food chains of Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Fast-food chains of the Philippines]]
[[Category:Fast-food franchises]]
[[Category:Economy of the Southwestern United States]]
[[Category:Regional restaurant chains in the United States]]
[[Category:Fast-food chains of the United States]]
[[Category:Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2008]]
[[Category:1899 establishments in Japan]]
[[Category:Restaurants established in 1899]]
[[Category:Companies listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange]]
[[Category:Jollibee Group subsidiaries]]<!-- For the Philippine branch of Yoshinoya -->