Through years of struggle, they pushed the curry market of HUB Foods to become the number one in all of Japan.
And being in high positions, they had long been accustomed to many noble dishes in this world. Of course, people like them, once they encounter a powerful Chef, often show exceptional admiration.
Especially Chitose Orie, even more so.
Facing this Japan curry rice, her journey went from initial doubt to later astonishment, and finally to…
Captivation!
"I admit, I was a bit skeptical of you at first."
"After all, places like Izakaya, we both definitely have some preconceptions about."
"It wasn't until I tasted this Japan curry rice that I realized there truly is curry cuisine in this world that transcends everything."
On the other side, the older sister, Chitose Natsume, appeared relatively calmer, but now she also held increasing respect for Sosuke.
"These words are too flattering."
"No matter what, it's just simple ingredients, simple curry rice."
Watching the sisters praise the Japan curry rice in unison, Sosuke could only maintain a smile and humbly replied.
"Simple?"
"Your personally blended curry."
"No matter what ingredient it's used on, the flavor can be elevated by a level."
"I dare say, as long as you can provide the curry recipe, you will definitely lead a new curry flavor worldwide."
"In fact, our HUB Foods is currently expanding into new overseas curry markets, and you are precisely the talent we are looking for."
"So, what do you say, would you consider it?"
"As long as you're willing to come to our HUB Company, I'm willing to offer you an annual salary of 20 million yen… No, no, no, an annual salary of 50 million yen!"
Chitose Natsume looked deeply at Sosuke, then directly extended an olive branch to him.
"Huh? An annual salary of 50 million yen?" Kobayashi Rindo, beside her, was stunned.
Sosuke was also a little surprised; his surprise wasn't about the 50 million yen annual salary.
It was that they hadn't even known each other for half an hour, had they?
And yet, she trusted him that much?
"Yes, it's an annual salary of 50 million yen. I think such a salary is many times better than running this Izakaya, isn't it?"
Chitose Natsume blinked her bright eyes, speaking to Sosuke with a hint of affection.
"The offer is indeed good."
"Unfortunately, I will not be joining your HUB Foods."
"What?"
"You… you actually refused?"
Upon hearing this, Chitose Natsume's face was filled with disbelief, and even her sister Orie looked incredulous.
Although Japan is a small island nation, far from comparable to vast and resource-rich countries like China, it consumes 10 billion plates of curry annually, meaning:
Based on Japan's current total population of 2.7 billion, each person consumes nearly 80 plates of curry per year on average.
Therefore, the market potential for curry is enormous, and HUB Foods' ability to dominate a 20 billion curry market naturally indicates extraordinary strength.
How many people dream of working at HUB Foods.
But what the Chitose sisters never expected was that an Izakaya Shopkeeper would dare to refuse an annual salary of 50 million yen.
And if they knew that the Sosuke before them had even dared to refuse Totsuki Culinary Academy and WGO Gourmet Organization, their mental state would probably collapse even further!
"That's interesting."
"Now, there are still people like you who are not tempted by fame or fortune."
"Someone who only wants to do one thing well and maintain their original intention, that's truly rare!"
Recovering from her shock, Natsume immediately looked at Sosuke with even greater admiration.
Curry rice is now a national dish in Japan, with an average of 28 million servings consumed per day.
But unfortunately, despite such a vast customer base, due to the mixed quality of the entire curry industry, most curry chain stores generally do not exceed 50 outlets.
Only the curry sales outlets under their HUB Foods are an exception.
According to rough estimates, the number of curry shops directly affiliated with HUB Company has already exceeded an astonishing 30,000.
And achieving such results is naturally inseparable from Chitose Natsume's hard work!
From its inception, she would spend over 5 hours daily meticulously reading every customer complaint letter.
This allowed her to receive timely feedback from customers, enabling rapid iteration and continuous improvement of her company's curry products and services.
Consequently, compared to other catering peers,
HUB Foods can be considered a new species with an astonishing rate of evolution.
In Chitose Natsume's eyes, as the Shopkeeper and Chef of an Izakaya,
Sosuke's business philosophy of always considering the diners was the same as her previous management of 30,000 curry sales outlets.
Especially the rule that diners could freely order dishes at the Izakaya according to their preferences and needs, which perfectly aligned with her diligent reading of customer complaint letters.
When she served as CEO of HUB Foods, she always adhered to one rule:
Delicious curry is made by the customer.
Therefore, when customers visited any HUB-affiliated curry chain store, dining was no longer about eating only what was written on the menu.
Instead, customers could freely choose their rice portion, spiciness, and side dishes based on their preferences for what they wanted to eat and how they wanted to eat it.
It was precisely by adopting this approach that customers could customize and combine curry products that suited them, which allowed HUB Foods to flourish over the years and capture a 20 billion curry market.
"How disappointing."
"I offered such tempting conditions, and I thought you'd be interested!"
Knowing that Sosuke had no interest in HUB Foods, Chitose Orie could only sigh helplessly.
"Then… what about an annual salary of 100 million yen?"
Afterward, she continued, unwilling to give up.
She absolutely could not watch a talent as perfect and impeccable as Sosuke slip away from HUB Foods.
Sosuke remained silent, merely shaking his head in front of her, signifying his resolve.
"Forget it, forget it."
"Sister, let's not push it."
"We should be content to have eaten such an amazing curry rice tonight."
At this point, Chitose Natsume could only say helplessly. (End of Chapter)
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