Nishiyama Leads the Japanese-Inspired Fast-Casual Franchise in its U.S. Expansion
Yoshinoya America, a Japanese-inspired fast-casual restaurant concept, has appointed Paul Nishiyama president to lead the brand’s expansion in the U.S. Nishiyama has extensive leadership experience with brands including Better Buzz Coffee, Rubio’s Restaurants Inc., Burger Lounge and Johnny Rockets.
“With over a century in business, Yoshinoya’s iconic legacy is incredibly compelling,” Nishiyama said. “The opportunity to evolve that legacy through growth, modernization and operational excellence really excites me. I look forward to building positive momentum both in guest experience and new store development. There’s a strong foundation here, and I see so much potential to enhance performance, energize the team and reintroduce the brand to a broader audience.”
Nishiyama said his experience opening hundreds of stores, implementing new training systems and leading multi-state growth has prepared him for this role. “Each experience has sharpened my focus on strategic growth and sustainable execution.”
Nori Ozawa, chairman of Yoshinoya America, said he is delighted to welcome Nishiyama to the company. “His record of success and results-oriented leadership make him the perfect candidate to lead Yoshinoya America’s future expansion plans,” Ozawa said.
Nishiyama’s Leadership Philosophy
Nishiyama said he seeks to empower teams to take ownership and win together. “To me, leadership is about clarity, consistency and care. It’s about setting a clear direction, being present and accountable and developing others along the way.”
Nishiyama, a California native and proud girl dad, says he enjoys spending time with his family, watching the Los Angeles Chargers and building spreadsheets.
About Yoshinoya America
Yoshinoya is among the oldest quick-service restaurant chains in operation, with the opening of its first restaurant in Tokyo, Japan, dating back to 1899. Japanese-inspired cooking is the essence of Yoshinoya’s menu, which includes rice bowls, tempura shrimp, Tokyo fried shrimp, shrimp rolls and more. The fast-casual brand has expanded to more than 2,000 restaurants in Japan, mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and the Philippines, as well as 100 locations across California.
