Japanese restaurant chain Pepper Lunch plans to open its first store in Mongolia next year, as part of its global expansion strategy. 

The brand has signed a franchise deal with local distributor Bluemon Group, making Mongolia its 17th country. 

“We signed a master franchise agreement with our Mongolian franchise partner yesterday,” Yuto Tago, global CEO of Pepper Lunch wrote on his LinkedIn account. 

“I cannot wait to see the first restaurant opening next year!” 

Pepper Lunch is a DIY casual eating concept with more than 400 locations around Japan, Asia, and Australia. Founded by a trained chef, Kunio Ichinose, the restaurant focuses on premium steaks, pasta, and cheese curry rice. 

Pepper Food Service sold the Pepper Lunch franchise to J-Star Investment Fund for US$79 million in 2020.