South Korean dessert and coffee chain, Sulbing, is returning to Japan after closing in 2019, eyeing to open five new stores across the country this year, according to local press Chosun Biz. 

Its first Japan store has opened in Tokyo’s Korean Town, Shin Okubo, followed by a second store opening in Kagoshima next month. The re-launch is the brand’s effort to take back its position in the market. Sulbing signed an operating rights agreement with local restaurant franchisee J&K last November. 

“We plan to open 10 new stores every year starting next year to spread the Korean dessert culture,” a spokesperson from Sulbing told Chosun Biz. 

The chain first entered Japan in 2016, opening six stores before closing in 2019 after its local franchisee went bankrupt.

Under a master franchise system, the brand has expanded into seven countries – China, Thailand, Japan, Australia, the Philippines, Cambodia and Canada. Sulbing currently has a network of more than 100 stores across its home country.