Sakura Yagi

TIC Restaurant Group,

Chief Operating Officer


Modernized a mid-sized family restaurant business started in 1984 by focusing on technological improvements and implementing standard operating procedures for 10 Japanese restaurant concepts at 16 locations all in Manhattan, New York City.

Sakura works across all restaurant locations to optimize efficiency and effectiveness, while spearheading corporate governance.

Main Strengths:

  • Problem Solver

  • Resourceful

  • Juggler / Multitasker [both professional & personally as a single mom]

  • Media Ready PR proficient

  • Community-minded

Awards

WE's 40 Under 40 Tastemaker

Wine Enthusiast - August 19, 2020

Article Highlights

Business Owners Struggle With Unrelenting Anti-Asian Violence in NYC

Eater NY - March 19, 2021

Rise in anti-Asian violence puts added strain on struggling NYC restaurants

CNBC - March 10, 2021

A Rise in Violence Against Asian Americans Prompts NYC Restaurateurs to Take Action

Eater NY - February 12, 2021

For Restaurants (and Parents), a Year of Purgatory

Resy - October 30, 2020

The Restaurateur Forced to Sacrifice Family For Her Family Business

Resy - May 6, 2020

Fluffy Japanese Soufflé Pancakes Have American Fans Waiting in Line

NYT - April 9, 2019

Cha-An, New York’s Original Teahouse, Expands with Grab-and-Go Matcha Shop

Food & Wine - April 19, 2019

Asian Fried Chicken Soars to New Heights

WSJ - May 26, 2019

YouTube / Instagram Mention Highlights

A Day In The Life of A Restaurant Owner During Lockdown

BuzzFeed - Apr 15, 2020

#FWFSpotlight - @firstwefeast

Japanese Food Tour with Frank Pinello and Sakura Yagi | Sean in the Wild

First We Feast - Nov 14, 2017

A Ramen Expert Breaks Down the Three Styles You Need to Know | Gochi Gang*

(Also served as an Independent Consultant for the entire Gochi Gang Series)

First We Feast - Dec 17, 2019

Tea Time with Joshua Walker

Japan Society - April 16, 2020

USJC Bilateral Boardroom | Regional Insights

USJC - August 27, 2020

Lawrence Weibman's NYC Little Tokyo Japanese Food Tour

NY1 - Dec 11, 2018

How to Eat Shabu-Shabu

Zagat - October 2, 2015

1MM+ views

The Right Way to Eat Cold Soba Noodles

Zagat - February 1, 2017