TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwanese restaurant chain Din Tai Fung has emerged as the top-performing chain in the US in terms of average revenue per store, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal on Monday.
Market research firm Technomic found the group’s 16 US locations generated an average of US$27 million (NT$830 million) in annual sales last year. The figure surpassed all other chains with five or more outlets tracked in the study.
Restaurant Business in June noted that Din Tai Fung’s stores earn nearly twice as much as the second-highest-earning chain, highlighting the brand’s exceptional performance. The publication said that high sales typically require large restaurants, substantial customer spending, and strong traffic — criteria that Din Tai Fung meets.
Founded in Taiwan in 1958 as a small edible oil shop, Din Tai Fung shifted its focus to dumplings in 1972 after sales of its dumplings surpassed the original business. The family-run chain now operates 180 locations across 13 countries, according to CNA.
Despite a relatively flat year for casual dining in the US, several Asian restaurant chains, including Din Tai Fung, Kpot Korean BBQ, Kyuramen Ramen, and Kura Sushi, recorded a 7.6% increase in sales, according to financial media outlet Morning Brew.
Naveen Jaggi, president of retail advisory services at real estate firm Jones Lang LaSalle, attributed Din Tai Fung’s growth to the expanding Asian-American population, which has the highest disposable income among minority groups and tends to spend heavily on dining out.
Looking ahead, Din Tai Fung plans to continue expanding in the New York tri-state area and other major US markets. New locations are already announced for Scottsdale, Arizona’s Fashion Square mall, and California’s Irvine Spectrum Center and Brea Mall.
In New York, the brand opened its first Manhattan location in 2023, featuring 425 seats and quickly became a sought-after destination. A second location is planned for 2027 in downtown Brooklyn at The Brook, a luxury apartment building.
More than half of Din Tai Fung’s US locations are in shopping malls, chosen for ample parking, high visibility, and entertainment options while diners wait. Data firm Placer ai found that malls also benefit, noting that evening visits and dwell time at California’s Santa Monica Place increased after Din Tai Fung opened.
Renowned for its soup dumplings, Din Tai Fung has quickly gained a loyal following in North America. Its menu ranges from cold cucumber salads and fried rice to inventive cocktails such as lychee martinis, combining variety with refined flavors, according to UDN.
The chain’s spacious dining areas and open glass kitchens, where diners can watch chefs handcraft dumplings, further elevate the dining experience and reinforce its reputation for high-quality food and attentive service.
Retail analyst Neil Saunders of GlobalData said Din Tai Fung’s success is driven by cuisine with growth potential, strong market demand, efficient space planning, and operational efficiency, factors that naturally translate into high revenue.
