[Industry Trends] Saizeriya Opens World's First Halal-Certified Restaurant in Malaysia - Major Foodservice Chain Challenges a 2 Billion-Person Market

A major Japanese restaurant chain has made a full-fledged entry into the halal market. Saizeriya will open its first store in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on June 4, 2026. The company aims to obtain JAKIM (Department of Islamic Development Malaysia) halal certification for this store, the first in the world for Saizeriya. In the future, there are plans for 100 stores, with the global Muslim market of 2 billion people in sight beyond that.

In the previous 4th installment, we covered the Indonesian expansion of Kao, a major household goods manufacturer. This time, a major player in the "restaurant industry" has finally made a move. This is a symbolic piece of news, indicating that the entire Japanese food industry is getting serious about the halal market.

Saizeriya Malaysia's First Store - What was announced

Why Malaysia is the "first step"

Saizeriya's choice of Malaysia is no coincidence. Malaysia is globally positioned as a "halal hub."

Malaysia's certification body, JAKIM, is considered one of the most reliable halal certification bodies internationally, and many Islamic countries accept JAKIM standards. This means that obtaining halal certification from JAKIM is equivalent to acquiring a "global passport" for expansion into other Islamic countries.

If successful in Malaysia (where approximately 60% of the population is Muslim), the next targets will be Indonesia (approx. 270 million people, approx. 87% Muslim) and the Middle Eastern market. Saizeriya's plan for 100 stores serves as a stepping stone to the 2 billion-person market beyond.

Saizeriya's Overseas Strategy - Revenue Structure in Sight

To understand the significance of this move, it's necessary to know Saizeriya's overseas business revenue structure.

・Domestic operating profit margin: approx. 3.5%
・Asia segment operating profit margin: approx. 11% (about 3 times that of domestic)

In other words, a large portion of Saizeriya's profits already comes from its Asian business. Domestic operations are for brand maintenance, while Asia is the growth engine. Within this context, Malaysia (and the halal market) is clearly positioned as the next major battleground.

The Contents of Halal Compliance - Designing the Entire Supply Chain

Operating a halal-certified restaurant means designing not only the in-store cooking operations but also the entire food supply chain according to halal standards.

Saizeriya's first Malaysian store officially announced the following four points:

• Use of halal-certified raw materials
• Management by an experienced Halal Executive
• Strict management of all processes: procurement, storage, and cooking
• Maintenance of hygiene, quality, and food safety standards

Some ingredients are planned to be procured in a halal-compliant form from Saizeriya's own processing facilities in Australia. The menu will also be significantly changed from the domestic version, with hamburgers being abolished, chicken becoming the main item, and local food culture being carefully incorporated, such as developing limited-time products featuring traditional Malaysian Rendang sauce.

Three Trends Revealed by the "Major Company Halal Entry" Series

When read in conjunction with the Indonesian expansion of Kao discussed previously, Saizeriya's recent move reveals three key trends in the overall industry.

① Halal compliance has expanded from "food products" to "restaurants"
The 4th installment featured Kao, a major cosmetics and toiletry manufacturer, and the 5th installment features Saizeriya, a major restaurant chain. "Cross-industry halal entry" is becoming a serious trend.

② "Southeast Asia → Global" Expansion Route
Kao in Indonesia, Saizeriya in Malaysia. A common route of starting in Southeast Asia and expanding to the 1.8-2 billion Muslim population worldwide is becoming established.

③ The Era Where "Certification Acquisition is Central to Business Strategy"
Halal compliance was once a special option, but it has now become a mandatory condition for business expansion. The importance of certification bodies like JAKIM, BPJPH, and in Japan, JHA, NAHA, and JHF, is steadily increasing within corporate strategies.

Related article: Please also see Completion of Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) between Indonesian and Japanese Halal Certification Bodies.

HALAL ICHIBA's Perspective - Supporting Restaurants in Japan

Saizeriya is taking on the challenge of halal compliance in Malaysia, representing the Japanese restaurant industry. Meanwhile, we at HALAL ICHIBA are responsible for supplying ingredients to help restaurants, hotels, and food businesses in Japan implement halal compliance.

To meet the demands of increasing Muslim tourists to Japan, the daily needs of Muslim residents, and corporate inbound tourism efforts, a system that can quickly provide certified seasonings, meats, and frozen foods is essential.

As Saizeriya's move indicates, halal compliance is shifting from being a "special menu" to "part of the standard line." HALAL ICHIBA aims to support this change from within Japan.

HALAL ICHIBA's Initiatives

In addition, we also carry a wide range of halal-certified seasonings, meats, cheeses, teas, frozen foods, etc., including commercial sizes.

Summary

The news of Saizeriya's "world's first halal store" is not just about one company's overseas expansion. It is a symbolic case demonstrating that the entire Japanese food industry has begun to view the halal market as a major battleground. As the moves of major companies like Kao and Saizeriya accelerate, HALAL ICHIBA will continue to deliver reliable products, supporting this trend from within Japan.

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