Following reports of pests found in food, Japanese restaurant chain Sukiya announced a temporary closure of its nearly 2,000 outlets for deep cleaning. The decision comes after customers reported sighting a rat in miso soup and other pests, leading to heightened safety measures and significant attention to the company's hygiene standards.
Japan’s Sukiya Closes Restaurants Amid Pest Infestation Concerns
Japan’s Sukiya Closes Restaurants Amid Pest Infestation Concerns
The popular beef-on-rice chain Sukiya temporarily shuts outlets to address pest-related incidents, prompting customer concern and safety measures.
In a bid to maintain customer safety and uphold its reputation, Sukiya, one of Japan's largest restaurant chains, is closing its locations for an extensive deep cleaning. This decision arose after two alarming pest-related incidents, including a rat discovered in a bowl of miso soup in January and a recent finding of an insect, suspected to be a cockroach, by a diner in Tokyo.
The chain, renowned for its beef-on-rice dishes, announced that most of its approximately 2,000 outlets would be temporarily shut between March 31 and April 4. The closures aim to prevent further pest intrusions and improve internal pest control measures. Sukiya expressed regret over the "great inconvenience and concern caused" to its patrons.
The first incident involving the rat went unaddressed for weeks, with rumors circulating on social media until the restaurant confirmed the sighting. Following the miso soup discovery in Tottori, measures were instituted to seal off cracks in the building and ensure that rubbish was properly refrigerated. An escalation of safety protocols included regular inspections of all outlets for potential gaps that could facilitate pest entry.
Following the disclosure regarding the rat, Sukiya experienced a significant drop in its share price, reflecting investor concerns over its operational integrity and customer trust. The recent pest sighting has further exacerbated scrutiny on the organization’s food safety practices.
The management has publicly apologized to affected customers, emphasizing their commitment to addressing these issues swiftly and restoring confidence in the brand. As Sukiya undertakes this necessary maintenance, they aim to uphold the highest standards of hygiene and food safety, assuring customers of their safety when dining at their establishments.
