Embark on the inspiring journey of Taiwanese exchange student Brandon Ting, who defied all odds to establish the thriving ramen chain Kizuki from the ground up in the United States. Discover the flavors of resilience and innovation as Brandon’s passion for authentic ramen transformed into a successful culinary venture, leaving an indelible mark on the American food scene. Taste the story of determination, savor every success, and join the legacy of Kizuki Ramen – where Brandon’s vision became an exceptional reality.
Meet Brandon Ting, the visionary founder of Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya, who embarked on a quest for his dreams in the United States after completing his military service. Despite his initial struggles with English, even finding it challenging to spell “Student,” Brandon pursued dual degrees in finance and economics at the University of Washington, laying the foundation for his entrepreneurial path. During his university days, Brandon, along with classmates, identified the untapped potential of the Asian market in Seattle. This led to the establishment of “Baijia Supermarket（百佳超市）,” which remains Bellevue’s most renowned Asian grocery store. Post-graduation, Brandon took on the role of supermarket manager, but his thoughts were constantly focused on the future. Every Wednesday, after the supermarket closed, Brandon and his business partner would gather in the office to share new knowledge and insights from the past week, engaging in discussions about the future. Despite numerous revisions to their business plans, the duo remained steadfast in their quest to find their dream venture.
In the early days of entrepreneurship, Brandon risked his entire savings and borrowed the initial capital from family members. Fully aware of the potential stress of failure, he even calculated, using Excel, the time required to repay debts if the venture failed. However, he resolved not to retreat and dedicated himself to ensuring the success of the restaurant. In pursuit of authentic ramen, Brandon traveled to Japan to master the techniques and secured the exclusive rights to represent “Kukai Ramen & Izakaya” in the American market. Spending a year and a half in the U.S., he navigated the FDA certification process to guarantee the delivery of truly authentic Japanese ramen to consumers. Not content with culinary success alone, Brandon brought in a renowned interior designer from Taiwan to create a unique ambiance for the restaurants. During the decoration of the first establishment, he even took on the role of a foreman, learning how to coordinate craftsmen. Starting with a resolute “never fail” mindset, Kizuki Ramen expanded from an initial outlet to nearly twenty branches.
In the early stages of business development, the first restaurant in Bellevue gained instant popularity, rapidly expanding to almost 20 branches. However, facing a bottleneck, Brandon recruited a seasoned district manager from Starbucks, who had overseen 650 stores, to lead the company. Under his guidance, Kizuki Ramen established a strong corporate culture and management system, propelling its growth. Today, Kizuki Ramen boasts nearly 20 locations across Washington, Oregon, Chicago, and Texas, with ambitions to reach the goal of a hundred stores—a testament to Brandon’s unwavering determination to build an influential culinary brand in the United States.
Conclusion
Brandon Ting, a tenacious Taiwanese exchange student, ventured into the United States with a dream to redefine the ramen experience. Despite starting from scratch, Brandon’s passion for authentic flavors and dedication to excellence became the driving force behind Kizuki Ramen’s remarkable success.