HoneyBaked® Announces Launch in Asia

ATLANTA, June 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The HoneyBaked Ham Company of Georgia® announced today that for the first time in the company's 55-year history, it will expand internationally. HoneyBaked® is partnering with Toranomon Ham Co., Ltd., who will hold the rights to sell Honey Baked Hams®, turkeys, sides and desserts in Japan. The premium food retailer is targeting a launch later this year to include a storefront, e-commerce, sampling and a full marketing campaign specific to the region.

"For more than half a century, HoneyBaked® has been a household name, synonymous with the quality and taste of our signature bone-in half ham and other ham products here in the United States," says Chuck Bengochea, HoneyBaked® CEO.* "Paul Kraft and Nobumitsu Tamai are strong, experienced partners. With their extensive consumer knowledge and operational expertise, we are very excited to bring HoneyBaked's® premium products and family traditions to consumers in Japan."

After patenting the first spiral-slicing machine, Harry J. Hoenselaar founded the HoneyBaked Ham Company® in Detroit, Michigan in 1957. The family owned and operated company now boasts over 400 locations across the United States and sells a variety of additional products including the signature Honey Baked Ham®, turkey breasts, sides and desserts. Most locations also offer catering as well as a cafe menu including fresh made sandwiches, salads and deli sides.   

"There is a great demand in the Japanese market for premium American brands and HoneyBaked® fills a market niche with its unique glazed and spiral-sliced hams," added Paul Kraft, Toranomon Ham, president and representative director. "Our goal is to introduce HoneyBaked® in a locally relevant way, including the establishment of retail stores."

Ham products are widely popular in Japan, where over 35-percent of consumers purchase it as often as once a week for use in salads, sandwiches or by the slice.** Consumables, including ham, are popular gift ideas as well. Gifting is an important part of Japanese culture and shoppers appreciate and seek out high quality brands. While there are many options within the category, HoneyBaked's® glazed bone-in hams are unlike anything currently available in Japan.

"Honey Baked Ham® has tested well with consumers in Japan," added Kraft. "In addition to ham, shoppers will be able to choose from an assortment of sides and desserts specially designed with the Japanese palate in mind. If the decades of success of this brand are any indication, HoneyBaked® will soon find its place on family dinner tables and entertaining occasions across Japan."

*HoneyBaked Ham Company of Georgia®
**Source: Survey of Shokuniku Co. Ltd.

About The Original HoneyBaked Ham Company of Georgia, Inc.®
HoneyBaked was founded in 1957 and is a premium food retailer known for the most flavorful, moist and tender Honey Baked Hams® and Turkey Breasts you'll find anywhere, as well as a host of other fully cooked entrees, side items and desserts. HoneyBaked has become a tradition for families nationwide who can now shop at more than 400 HoneyBaked locations. To become a HoneyBaked franchise owner, visit www.honeybakedfranchise.com or call 866.968.7424.

About Toranamon Ham
Toranamon Ham is a partnership formed by Paul Kraft, a former Starbucks executive in Japan and FinTech Global, a boutique investment firm led by CEO Nobumitsu Tamai, that specializes in serving mid-sized and growth oriented firms.

SOURCE HoneyBaked