First Kitchen

First Kitchen opened its first restaurant in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, in September 1977, and for almost forty years belonged to the drinks company Suntory. In 2016 Suntory sold it to Wendy’s Japan, and many branches now trade as Wendy’s First Kitchen. Most of its restaurants are in the Kantō region around Tokyo.

The chain has always tried to be something other than a McDonald’s. From 1996 it added pasta, pizza and fried chicken, and it is known in Japan for Flavor Potato, fries shaken with a choice of seasonings. The name produces an unfortunate abbreviation: people call it “Fakkin”, which the company dislikes so much that in 2005 it redesigned the logo to push the letters FK instead.

The burger that has been on the menu since the beginning is the Bacon Egg Burger, with an egg cooked in the shop. In recent years the beef burgers have moved to a smashed patty under the FK Smash name, and every autumn the chain joins the Japanese fashion for Tsukimi, moon-viewing, burgers. Calories and allergens for each item are published in a table updated with every menu change.

Dozens of restaurants, most of them in and around Tokyo, many branded Wendy’s First Kitchen.

• Kua 'Aina (United States, since 1975). A North Shore surf-town sandwich shop that became a Hawaiian burger chain in Japan. Also built on beef and bacon.
• Dom Dom Hamburger (Japan, since 1970). Japan’s first hamburger chain, born when a supermarket and McDonald’s could not agree on one percent. Also built on beef and egg.
• Minute Burger (Philippines, since 1982). The Philippine burger kiosk where every order comes as Buy 1 Take 1. Also built on beef.
• Jollibee (Philippines, since 1978). The Philippine chain that beat McDonald’s at home, with sweet spaghetti on the side. Also built on beef.