Bento boxes are trending in fast casual
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Bento Asian Kitchen + Sushi — Orlando, Fla.
Although Bento Asian Kitchen + Sushi — the fast-casual, Florida-based bento box and sushi restaurant with 13 locations and counting — has been in business since 2002, the brand is in the middle of a major expansion. Bento Asian Kitchen + Sushi has grown by 50% over the past year, and the company is on track to open seven more locations by the end of 2020.
Photo: Bento Asian Kitchen + Sushi
Even though the fast-casual brand also has rice bowls, noodle bowls, poke bowls, and sushi on the menu, bento boxes are the brand’s biggest seller, according to a spokesperson for parent company Bento Group.
Customers can choose white or brown rice, ginger salad, lo mein or string beans, to be topped with a selection of entrees, including Mongolian, katsu, tempura, stir fry, and bulgogi in a variety of protein options for an average check of $10.
The original 2,000-square-foot location was founded and opened by brothers Jimmy and Johnny Tung just a couple of blocks away from the University of Florida in Gainesville. Now, each location is 3,000-square-feet, on average.