What’s in a Name? The Story of "CHANFE"!
When starting a new restaurant or company, there’s one thing you absolutely can’t overlook: the name!
Every place needs its own identity, and let me tell you, I didn’t set out to call my restaurant "CHANFE TOKYO."
Chanfe Tokyo / Signboard
Initially, I had my heart set on "High Five."
The vision was simple: customers would leave with a high five after enjoying a meal, leaving with warm memories and smiles all around.
But then, I hit a roadblock—turns out, there were tons of "High Five" restaurants scattered across the globe! Back to the drawing board.
Wonderful team at Chanfe Tokyo
I wanted something that wasn’t just a rehashed word with a forced meaning, and I definitely didn’t want to settle for a name that was simply cool.
So, I mixed two of my favorite words and voilà—"CHANFE" was born!
To be honest, I can’t even recall what those two words were anymore.
Now, why "TOKYO"? Well, my goal is to expand to other regions, creating another store like "CHANFE OSAKA" or "CHANFE HAWAII."
It all started back in October 2022 when I decided on this quirky name, and yes, I’ve had my share of people asking, “Isn’t that a bit odd name?”
So, why "CHANFE"? Here are my top three reasons:
The Sound: It has a stylish ring to it.
SEO: A name that stands out on the internet
A Shared Meaning: And most importantly,Even if the name itself doesn’t carry a specific meaning, I hope one day it’ll evolve into something truly special for our team and our customers.
My heartfelt hope is that this seemingly random name transforms into a cherished part of everyone’s experience and journey with us, weaving its way into the fabric of their lives.
At first, customers were always asking, “What does CHANFE mean?”
I even put an explanation on the first page of our menu. Luckily, those questions have dwindled lately!
Chanfe Tokyo / The prisoner wine company
As we gear up for our second anniversary, I can’t help but reflect on how much CHANFE has evolved. Sure, we still have challenges to tackle, but we’ve also brought in an amazing team. I’m proud to say we’ve created a cozy, welcoming space—free from drama and filled with wonderful, kind-hearted people.
Recently, a customer asked one of our newer part-time employees, who’s been with us for just three months,
“What does CHANFE mean?”
Her answer completely caught me off guard:
“It means ‘smile!’”
I couldn’t help but laugh! It was totally off the mark, but at the same time, it warmed my heart.
While technically, that answer was a zero in accuracy, it was a solid ten in spirit.
Over two years, this name has transformed into something truly special: a symbol of the joyful atmosphere we strive to create. The fact that she has already given it such a beautiful meaning made me feel grateful beyond words.
Chanfe Tokyo / Sean’s Birthday Party
As we approach our second anniversary this December, I look back at all the support we’ve received. Our approach remains focused on our team because I believe that when our staff is happy, our customers will feel that joy, too!
With just two months left in the year, I invite you to join us in making "CHANFE" a place overflowing with smiles and laughter. Thank you for being part of this amazing journey!
