# Japanese udon chain business activities

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/japanese-udon-chain-business-activities
> Updated: 2026-09-16T23:49:58.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 4.

Japanese udon chains are pursuing growth through physical expansion, seasonal product updates, and anniversary celebrations.

Sukesan Udon is expanding its footprint by converting existing restaurant locations. In Saitama Prefecture, a new store in Honjo City is scheduled to open on September 17, 2026, at the former site of a Gusto restaurant. In Kyoto Prefecture, the Kyoto Katsura store is set to open on September 24, 2026, also converting from a Steak Gusto; this location will operate 24 hours a day. Further expansion in Saitama includes the Sukesan Udon Hidaka branch, which opened on August 27 and transitioned to 24-hour operations on September 3.

To celebrate its 50th anniversary, Sukesan Udon has launched a ‘Great Thanksgiving Fair’ at its official online store, featuring limited-edition merchandise sets such as T-shirts, stickers, and acrylic stands. The chain is also running an X (formerly Twitter) campaign to celebrate new store openings in the Akashi area, allowing customers to receive a ‘Sukesan Logo Sticker’ and enter a drawing for commemorative apparel.

In tandem with industry activity, Sukesan Udon and Hanamaru Udon have introduced seasonal menu items. Sukesan Udon is expanding its clam soup menu, including a limited-time ‘extra-large clam soup’ containing three times the usual amount of clams. Hanamaru Udon launched new dipping noodle options on September 10, including a ‘Rich Shrimp Dipping Udon’ and a ‘Rich Seafood and Pork Bone Dipping Udon’. Additionally, Marugame Seimen is scheduled to hold a two-day event on September 18 and 19, offering free ‘bite-sized udon’ samples to showcase different preparation styles: ‘kamanuki’ and ‘shime’.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-16: Marugame Seimen and Sukesan Udon launch new promotions and menu items

Japanese udon chains Marugame Seimen and Sukesan Udon are running promotions, including free samples, 50th-anniversary merchandise, and new limited-time menu items like extra-large clam soup.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sukesan-udon-launches-promotional-campaign-for-new-store-openings

### 2026-09-12: Sukisan Udon expands with new locations and 24-hour operations

Sukisan Udon is expanding, with a new 24-hour location opening in Kyoto at a former Steak Gusto site and its Hidaka branch in Saitama moving to 24-hour operations.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sukisan-udon-expands-with-new-locations-and-24-hour-operations

### 2026-09-10: Japanese udon chains launch new seasonal menus

Japanese udon chains Sukisan Udon and Hanamaru Udon are launching new limited-time seasonal menus, including enhanced clam soup and rich dipping noodle varieties.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japanese-udon-chains-launch-new-seasonal-menus

### 2026-09-07: Sukesan Udon expands via restaurant conversions in Saitama and Kyoto

Sukesan Udon is expanding its Japanese presence by converting former Gusto restaurant locations into new 24-hour udon shops in Saitama and Kyoto.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sukesan-udon-expands-via-restaurant-conversions-in-saitama-and-kyoto

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Cite as: Japanese udon chain business activities. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/japanese-udon-chain-business-activities