Tokyo International News Agency

Lotteria, a hamburger chain beloved for many years, is set to convert all of its domestic stores into "Zteria" by March 2026. This news has triggered a wave of regretful comments on social media, with trending keywords like "all stores closing" reflecting widespread sadness and surprise at the end of a half-century of history. The transformation stems from a change in Lotteria's parent company, moving from Lotte Holdings to Zensho Holdings. The new brand name, "Zteria," is reportedly a combination of "Ze" from Zensho, Lotteria's popular "Zeppin Burger" (meaning "Exquisite Burger"), and "cafeteria." Some stores have already begun operating as "Zteria," with customers reporting on the changes. On social media, many posts express long-standing loyalty, such as "Don't tell me Lotteria is closing all its stores... I love it so much I buy their lucky bags." Others share personal memories, li...

Lotteria, a brand that has led Japan's hamburger industry for many years, is reportedly closing its 54-year history and converting all its stores to "Zettteria," according to a report by the Nikkei (Japan Economic Newspaper). This news has sparked a significant reaction on the social media platform "X," with many users expressing their regret and sharing nostalgic memories. Lotteria's name originally stemmed from "Lotte-operated cafeteria." However, its acquisition by Zensho Holdings last year, making it a subsidiary, led to this nationwide store conversion. The new brand name, "Zettteria," is said to be derived from Lotteria's signature product, the "Zeppin Cheeseburger" (meaning "Exquisite Cheeseburger"), marking a change in name to coincide with the change in operating company. On social media, a flurry of posts expressed surprise and sadness at the sudden announcement, with comments like "So Lotteria is di...