All-you-can-eat service shutting down? TKK: Warming up for a standalone brand of hundred-yuan ramen

▲ TKK still offers an all-you-can-eat option at the Xinpuxin branch. (Photo / Screen capture from TKK Buffet official Facebook page)

Reported by Huang Shiyuan / Taipei

TKK spotted Taiwanese people’s fondness for all-you-can-eat services, so at the end of last year (2015), they set up all-you-can-eat buffets at their Banqiao Xinpuxin, Sanchong, and Zhonghe branches. However, it has now been reported that the Sanchong and Zhonghe branches have closed, leaving only the Banqiao Xinpuxin branch. Liu Jia’e, the brand marketing manager of TKK, stated that the closures were not because the all-you-can-eat model isn’t working, but rather because it serves as preparation for their new hundred-yuan ramen brand to go independent.

Liu Jia’e said the reason for closing the buffet service last year was because it was performing the best among their current offerings. Recently, the company has plans to spin off a brand under TKK that focuses on hundred-yuan ramen, which may or may not be related to this decision. They chose the location carefully, ultimately deciding on one of their better-performing branches. The goal is to strengthen the brand's foundation. As for the Zhonghe branch’s buffet, it was indeed affected by inconvenient transportation, so the group later decided to concentrate resources on the more accessible Xinpuxin branch. Starting September 1st, the Xinpuxin branch adjusted its service to offer all-you-can-eat options every day of the week.

As for the ramen bar at the Sanchong branch, it currently only sells pork bone ramen and spicy pork bone ramen, both priced at 100 yuan. In addition to ramen, the Sanchong branch’s ramen bar also offers a variety of side dishes, with prices ranging from 30 to 100 yuan, including some that involve considerable handiwork.


▲ TKK Ramen Bar Sanchong Branch. (Photo / From the official TKK website)