How Din Tai Fung Became America’s Top-Earning Restaurant Chain

Twenty-five years ago, a 19-table outpost of a popular Taiwanese restaurant set up shop in a suburban Los Angeles strip mall. Today—with 17 US locations and more on the way—it’s the top-earning restaurant chain in America.

Din Tai Fung, a staple of international and California dining that arrived on America’s East Coast just over a year ago, generates an annual average of $27.4 million per US location, according to industry researcher Technomic—almost triple what high-end restaurant group Nobu pulls in. Yet, when asked about it, Din Tai Fung North America’s chief executive officer, Albert Yang—almost too serious for his ...