What made you decide to start a franchise business and why did you choose the ramen business?

We have been in F&B business more than 20 years, the reason that we started franchise business is the brand recognition and system development of the franchisor. If the customers know the brand, it’s  easy to set up the business and to get more customers with support of franchiser. Ramen is very popular food and has high demand from the customers. It is not only a trend but a conventional business that lasts longer.

Have you faced any difficulties since opening your restaurant?

We have many difficulties since opening the restaurant, first one was permits, because in Australia there are lots of restrictions we never know. It takes some time get permits. We wanted to open in March 2018 but finally opened in August, and not long after covid 19 hit us. We had to close our shop for 6 weeks and we had to develop and improve lots of things. We created delivery options which we never have before, but that was very good exercises, and it made us increase the sales.

What is the most difficult being a franchise owner and how to overcome it?

To start a franchise business, you have to have enough funds to invest to build up the business.  You have to make sure enough capital and also have enough partnership behind you that can get supports to proceed the business.

What experience do you have in terms of cooperation and support systems with the franchisor’s headquarters?

We have been with Withlink for 5 years, and we are very satisfied with their support system. One of those was that Withlink gave us the compensation when the soup had delayed. We're also very happy with dedicated and heartfelt supports of Withlink staff who always help us for training, store opening and solving our problems etc.

What has made you happy since you opened?

We are very happy that we have just celebrated 5 years anniversary since opening. We had a big campaign and marketing celebrating this occasion. We are very happy and blessed to have a big brand awareness with our campaign to let people in Perth, Australia know more about BARI-UMA. Over the past 2 years "Bariuma Australia" has become one of the biggest and consistent worldwide brand. We have opened our 2nd restaurant in Perth last November.

What have you learned through running a ramen business and how did it influence your management style?

A big passion and patient are required. It’s like a “waiting game” that is slow but steady. Having Ramen business, you have to know that your most important asset is your staff. So you need to be caring, attentive and give love to the staff like family.

What strategies and approaches do you implement to make your store successful?

Our strategy is very simple, just make a food quality and a service quality consistent. We always serve the customer with happiness and make sure that they are happy when they come to our store.  To keep tidiness and cleanliness is very important when customer come to the store. Also, good vibes, you should serve the foods in a timely management with less waiting time.

What are the benefits as the partner of Withlink and are the advantages compared to other business models?

We are like a big family. They are very caring and attentive, and communication is open, it is very easily to reach out. In term of support, even like when we have an idea, they are very open and flexible and then listen to what we need. For example, Australia is very different to other country, especially the culture is different, so we tell Withlink our needs and discuss together then new ideas come up faster. That is a good business model and partnership.

As the ramen business is very competitive, how to make a difference with competitors?

The difference comparing other restaurants in Australia, our soup is very favorable and creamy, our Chashu is very thick. Our Ramen is good taste. We have lots of products not only Ramen but Chaofan, Karaage and Gyoza as side dishes. There is also a kid’s menu.

What are your future goals?

Our goal is to make more Australian knows about Bariuma, make Bariuma more famous in Australia. We keep growing slowly because the market here is not same with others. This is very unique market in terms of labor. Labor here is the most expensive in the world. You have to be careful when doing business in Australia.

What are the key success factors?

One of the key factors is “beside the owner”. We are very hands on and involved day to day operation. He is very involved in kitchen and I am on backend and service. He has received a training in Singapore that how exactly operation and staff should be. So, we know exactly day to day operation. That is very important assets we have. Another Key factor is that the labor is expensive in a country like Australia and some part of Europe, so in those countries, it is good for owner to know all the details of the operation. That way he (or she) can hands on the business. In countries like Indonesia and Philippine, the labor is not so expensive, so the owner just needs to know the operation as whole, not every details.