San Jose, CA, March 10, 2008 – Happi House Restaurants, Inc., announced today that it is embarking on a company revitalization plan, which includes hiring Joshua Richman as President, and Kevyn Johnston as Director of Marketing. Until recently, both men held the same positions at Straw Hat Pizza Cooperative Corporation, where they led that company’s turnaround.
In their new positions with Happi House Restaurants, Richman and Johnston will focus on building on the 32-year old concept’s unique marketplace success, increasing unit sales, profitability, improving brand strength and new market expansion.
Don Perrucci, Director, said that Happi House was extremely pleased to welcome Richman and Johnston after an extensive search for the right talent to fill the positions. “I’m very excited to have both Josh and Kevyn on our team; we know their addition marks the beginning of a great new chapter in Happi House’s rich history,” said Perrucci. Happi House California Teriyaki restaurants are a lively and fast-paced institution for generations of San Jose and South Bay families. With their distinctively California approach to teriyaki cuisine, the company’s six locations serve a faithful clientele with a signature menu of freshly prepared Teriyaki Dishes, Tempura, and Rice and Noodle Bowls at an excellent value. Happi House also is a favorite choice for quality take-out and off-premise catering in neighboring areas.
Joshua Richman comes to Happi House with extensive restaurant and franchise development experience, most recently serving as President and CEO of Straw Hat Pizza, where he spent 18 years. Kevyn Johnston is also a transplant from the Straw Hat system, brining his 15-year background in restaurant marketing and public relations. At Straw Hat, Josh and Kevyn led the company’s turnaround; substantially increasing unit sales, tripling corporate revenue, and revitalizing the 60’s era concept while positioning it for expansion and franchising. They were also responsible for development of Straw Hat’s two spin-off concepts, including the new Straw Hat Grill, which will open this spring in Southern California.
“Happi House is a concept without rival and I’m delighted to be part of a new team shaping its future,” said Richman, “few brands have built the tremendous consumer loyalty that Happi House has fostered and enjoyed for decades. I have no doubt that the Happi House format is poised for long-term profitability and growth.” Johnston said immediate plans for Happi House include ameliorating the company’s marketing strategies, remodeling existing stores, building improved menu systems, and developing the company’s new prototype store, which is scheduled to open summer 2008 in Morgan Hill, California. The company’s long-term growth strategy includes adding several more company-owned locations in tactical markets and a possible return to franchising.
[Established in 1975, Happi House is the original quick service California teriyaki restaurant serving the San Francisco Bay Area. The first Happi House location opened at the corner of 5th and Taylor Streets in San Jose’s Japantown as a result of tremendous demand from the local Asian community for a comfortable, value-oriented neighborhood restaurant. Its model integrates fresh California style teriyaki cuisine with a streamlined cooking system that provides top quality products, speed of service, and cost efficiencies. Happi House Restaurants, Inc. currently owns and operates six fast-casual Happi House restaurants and has plans to develop four to six more locations in the next two years. For more information contact J. Richman at 408.244.0665]
