College Dropout, Who Founded Popular Japanese Noodle Restaurant Chain, Becomes A Billionaire

Takaya Awata, founder and CEO of Tokyo-listed Toridoll Holdings, best known for its popular udon noodle restaurants, has joined the ranks of billionaires. Shares of Toridoll, which operates nearly 1,900 eateries around the world, jumped by more than a third over the past year as people, constrained during the pandemic, resumed eating out once again. Awata’s 48% stake in Toridoll is now worth $1.1 billion, based on Friday’s closing price of ¥3,930 ($26.8).