TOKYO -- Ramen chain operator Hiday Hidaka probably pulled in a fourth consecutive record operating profit for the nine months through November, owing to a successful price hike amid heavy patronage from customers seeking a beer and a bite.
Parent-only operating profit for the March-November period likely inched up 1% from the previous year, remaining in the range of 3.7 billion yen ($32.6 million). Sales probably grew roughly 6% to around 30.2 billion yen, thanks in part to the opening of 20 locations.