Fujita, Den

▪ 2005

      Japanese businessman (b. 1926, Osaka, Japan—d. April 21, 2004, Tokyo, Japan), was the charismatic founder of McDonald's Japan, which opened in 1971 and became the largest among all food industries in Japan after only a decade in operation. Fujita adopted Western business practices and a hands-on management style; he made surprise visits to “Golden Arches” restaurants and charmed patrons and employees with his easygoing nature. His empire of more than 3,000 outlets began to crumble, however, when other fast-food chains made their appearance and customers worried that beef might be tainted by mad cow disease. Fujita, who was chairman of his family trading company, Fujita & Co., also introduced the first Toys “R” Us stores in Japan. When Fujita's attempt to diversify the menu failed to revitalize the hamburger business, McDonald's brought in its own handpicked executives to turn the company around. Fujita stepped down as chief executive of the McDonald's Japanese operation in 2003.

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