DOSANKO CORP.

DOSANKO CORP. (株式会社どさん子) is a Japanese ramen chain brand that originated in 1961 when founder Tamotsu Aoiike opened a gyoza restaurant called Tsutaya in Sumida, Tokyo. In 1967, the company launched the Sapporo Ramen Dosanko chain with its first store in Ryogoku, Tokyo. The brand became widely known for its miso ramen, and at its peak it operated 1,157 stores across Japan. The company was incorporated in 1968 as Hokkoku Shoji Co., Ltd., later renamed Hokkoku Co., Ltd. in 1989, and went public on the over-the-counter market in 1990. After financial difficulties and a delisting in 2012, the food service division was spun off into a new company, Dosanko Co., Ltd. In 2016, it came under the umbrella of Asrapport Dining (now JFLA Holdings) and was renamed DSK Group, then Dosanko Co., Ltd. (second generation) in 2017. In April 2017, it was absorbed into Asrapport, and the business is now operated by Asrapport's Dosanko Business Headquarters. The brand continues to operate ramen restaurants, including the flagship Sapporo Ramen Dosanko, Misozen, and Fujihira brands, with a focus on miso ramen. As of 2017, the Dosanko Business Headquarters operated 150 stores (7 directly managed and 143 franchise). The company has expanded internationally, with locations in New York (1974), Europe, the United States, and Australia. The brand celebrated its 50th anniversary and aims for the next 50 years with a global vision.

The history of Dosanko begins in May 1961 when founder Tamotsu Aoiike opened a gyoza restaurant called Tsutaya in Sumida, Tokyo. In June 1967, as part of business diversification, the company started the Sapporo Ramen Dosanko chain, opening the first store in Ryogoku, Sumida, Tokyo. In April 1968, the company was incorporated as Hokkoku Shoji Co., Ltd. The chain expanded rapidly, and by 1971 it had over 500 stores and had even opened locations in Hokkaido. In 1974, it expanded to New York, USA, opening a store there. In April 1989, the company changed its name to Hokkoku Co., Ltd. In February 1990, it went public on the over-the-counter market (now Tokyo Stock Exchange Standard). In May 2008, it made MS&Consulting a subsidiary. In 2009, it was selected as a support company for Aprecio, which had filed for civil rehabilitation, but this was later withdrawn. In April 2010, it entered a grace period for 'loss of substantial continuity due to merger etc.' due to a business alliance with Toshisoken Investment Bank and inappropriate changes of representatives. In 2012, it was discovered that securities reports submitted between 2009 and 2010 contained false statements (fictitious sales, etc.). On July 10, 2012, the Osaka Securities Exchange decided to delist the company because it failed to submit required documents for listing criteria compliance. On August 10, 2012, the Financial Services Agency ordered a penalty surcharge for the false statements. On August 11, 2012, the stock was delisted. On October 2, 2012, the company split, and the food business division (FC business and directly managed business) was succeeded to a new company, Dosanko Co., Ltd. (first generation). On April 1, 2016, it came under the umbrella of Asrapport Dining (now JFLA Holdings) and changed its name to DSK Group Co., Ltd. On January 1, 2017, it absorbed Dosanko Co., Ltd. (first generation) and changed its name to Dosanko Co., Ltd. (second generation). On April 1, 2017, it was absorbed into Asrapport, and the corporate entity Dosanko Co., Ltd. was dissolved; the business was inherited by Asrapport's Dosanko Business Headquarters. The brand has continued to operate, with a rebranding in 2014 that opened a flagship store in Ginza and expanded to Europe (Dosanko Opera), the US (Dosanko West LA), and Australia (2015). As of 2017, the Dosanko Business Headquarters operated 150 stores (7 directly managed and 143 franchise). The brand celebrated its 50th anniversary and aims for global expansion.

• Founder Tamotsu Aoiike opens gyoza restaurant 'Tsutaya' in Sumida, Tokyo.

• First 'Sapporo Ramen Dosanko' store opens in Ryogoku, Tokyo.

• Incorporated as Hokkoku Shoji Co., Ltd.

• Expands to Hokkaido; surpasses 500 stores.

• Opens first overseas store in New York, USA.

• Company name changed to Hokkoku Co., Ltd.

• Listed on over-the-counter market (now TSE Standard).

• MS&Consulting becomes a subsidiary.

• Delisting decided by Osaka Securities Exchange.

• Stock delisted.

• Company split; food business succeeded to new Dosanko Co., Ltd. (first generation).

• Rebranding; flagship store opens in Ginza; expands to Europe and US.

• Expands to Australia.

• Joins Asrapport Dining (now JFLA Holdings); renamed DSK Group Co., Ltd.

• Absorbs Dosanko Co., Ltd. (first generation); renamed Dosanko Co., Ltd. (second generation).

• Absorbed into Asrapport; business inherited by Asrapport Dosanko Business Headquarters.

A traditional miso ramen chain with a focus on authentic Sapporo-style miso ramen, aiming to become a global brand.

• Miso Ramen

  Signature miso ramen with a rich, secret soup.

• Shoyu Ramen

  Soy sauce-based ramen.

• Salt Butter Ramen

  Salt-based ramen with butter.

• Gyoza

  Pan-fried dumplings.

• Frozen Fresh Ramen

  Take-home frozen ramen available via EC site.

1. 1Official Websitedskgroup.co.jp
2. 2Company Overviewdskgroup.co.jp
3. 3Wikidatawikidata.org
4. 4Wikipedia (Japanese)ja.wikipedia.org