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Our company, ALEPH INC., has absolutely no affiliation with the Aum Shinrikyo cult or the group it refers to as "Aleph."

Our History

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Words from the Founder

A company exists in the society and
exists to solve society’s shortages,
dissatisfaction and issues.

Founder: Akio Shoji

Words from Our Predecessors

A poem from Toru Okada.
We cherish these words since our
founding, and display this poem
in all “Bikkuri Donkey” restaurants.

The Origin of Aleph Inc.

株式会社アレフ ロゴ

Company Name and Logo

The company’s name and its logo came from the ancient Phoenician letter “” (pronounced as Aleph). “Aleph” can mean “a most important basis,” “the best” and “the origin of things.” At the same time, the Phoenician letter “” looks like an ox’s head, which is considered to be the apotheosis of flourishing and also a symbol of nature and life. Phoenicians invented the alphabet and were great traders who valued wisdom not force. The name “Aleph” and our logo emphasize our desire to pursue food culture with respect for nature and life, and to provide the best services and products through strict observation of our basic principles.

シンボルマークの由来

The “Bikkuri Donkey” Name

With our restaurant’s name “Bikkuri Donkey”, we aim to create a restaurant where our customers can have fun and joy , feel surprise and emotions, and to become useful to our society such as a donkey supports people’s daily life with a gentle gaze.

Our History

1968〜
1980〜
1990～
2000～
2010〜
2020〜

From a 43-square-meter small restaurant to a huge food industry. Our spirit of inquiry and our challenge continue.

1

  • 1968

    “Bell: Hamburger and Salad Restaurant” is founded in the Hinode Kaikan in Morioka,
    Iwate Prefecture.

    Founder, Mr. Akio Shoji, traveled across Japan to start a business. During his travel, he felt the new hamburgers’ era arriving, and opened a 43-square-meter shop in the downtown of Morioka（up to January 1973）

  • 1972

    Restaurant “ Bell Odori ”opened in Morioka, Iwate Prefecture

  • 1973

    Prototype of our hamburger steak dish, with a hamburger steak, salad and rice served on a wooden plate

  • 1976

    “Cowbell Company Co.,Ltd.” established in Morioka,Iwate Prefecture

  • 1977

    First restaurant in Fukushima

  • 1980

    First restaurant in Sapporo Restaurant name changed to “Bikkuri Donkey” in 1986

  • 1983

    Franchise business started(restaurants opened in Osaka and Toyohashi)

  • 1985

    First restaurant in the Kanto region

    Head office moved to its current address

  • 1987

    1987 (May) Company name changed to “Aleph Inc.”

  • 1988

    50th“Bikkuri Donkey” opened

    Agricultural research in Hokkaido started for safe and secure meal

  • 1990

    Support given to the establishment of the agricultural production corporation “Aleph Ranch Ltd.” (now Bocca Co.,Ltd.).

  • 1993

    Normalization initiatives such as Braille menus, entrance slopes, wheelchair-accessible restrooms and guide dog acceptances started

  • 1994

    100th“Bikkuri Donkey” opened

  • 1995

    Brewing our own beer “Otaru Beer”started, beer pub “Otaru Soko No.1” opened in Otaru, Hokkaido

  • 1997

    Introduction of food waste grinding and drying machines into restaurants started

  • 1999

    200th“Bikkuri Donkey” opened

    Otaru Beer Zenibako Brewery opened in Otaru, Hokkaido

  • 2001

    Use of Aleph Natural Beef started

  • 2002

    Coffee roasting factory started in Sapporo

  • 2006

    “Eco-rin Village” opened in Eniwa, Hokkaido.

    Opened with the purpose of enjoying learning about food and agriculture, their connections to nature and their importance through experience.Practice of grassland agriculture by grazing up to 1,000 sheep on about 70 hectares of pasture.

    Introduction of original rice cultivated with pesticide use limited to one application of herbicide into all Bikkuri Donkey restaurants

  • 2007

    “Hokkaido Factory”, a food processing factory, opened in Eniwa, Hokkaido

    Reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions through the use of renewable energy such as geothermal energy together with hygiene management.

  • 2010

    300th“Bikkuri Donkey” opened

  • 2011

    First food court type Bikkuri Donkey restaurant, Pocket Kitchen, opened

  • 2012

    “ Iwate Factory ”, a food processing factory, opened in Morioka, Iwate Prefecture.

  • 2013

    “Okinawa MLP”, a hamburger patty manufacturing factory,opened in Uruma, Okinawa Prefectu

  • 2015

    “Saitama Factory”, a food processing factory, opened in Kuki, Saitama Prefecture

  • 2016

    “Hokkaido Factory” is the first in the restaurant industry to obtain the“ ISO50001”energy management system standard certification

  • 2017

    Introduction of “milk-, wheat- and egg-free hamburger steaks” into Bikkuri Donkey

  • 2020

    “Dishers,” a new business format where you can freely customize your own hamburger steak dish, opened

    Joining the franchise of tea cafe “Gong cha”

  • 2021

    Our Fukushima Factory obtains “ISO 50001” energy management system standard certification

  • 2022

    Bikkuri Donkey opened its first store in Tokushima Prefecture, expanding to 45 prefectures all through Japan

    “TAPROOT coffee roasters,” a new bean sales brand for specialty coffees, started

  • 2023年

    The “Moguchare!!” event,thought to encourage children to finish their own meal,introduced into all Bikkuri Donkey restaurants (excluding Pocket Kitchen restaurants)

    Celebrating our 55th anniversary since founding

  • 2024

    Starting operating “Carl’s Jr.®” burger restaurants

  • 2025

    Our Saitama Factory obtains “ISO 50001” energy management system standard certification

  • 2026

    350th“Bikkuri Donkey” opened※As of July 2026