Wagyu Factory to Open in Jacksonville
The all-you-can-eat Japanese-style barbecue chain plans a November opening at the Markets at Town Center on the Southside.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Japanese Food
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Wagyu Factory, an all-you-can-eat Japanese-style barbecue and buffet, plans to open a restaurant in Jacksonville in November, according to a company news release issued Nov. 10, 2026. The restaurant will occupy a roughly 5,434-square-foot space at 4880 Big Island Drive, Suite 6, vacated by GEN Korean BBQ House.
Why it matters
The restaurant would be the first Wagyu Factory in Florida and the Southeastern United States, expanding the chain's footprint beyond its existing seven locations nationwide. For Jacksonville diners, it adds a premium Wagyu barbecue and buffet option to the Southside shopping center.
The company's release describes a 5,434-square-foot space, which was previously occupied for 2 1/2 years by GEN Korean BBQ House. Wagyu Factory currently operates seven locations nationwide, and its parent company, Chubby Group, operates 35 restaurant concepts; the exact opening date and buffet pricing have not been announced.
The players
Wagyu Factory
Wagyu Factory is an all-you-can-eat Japanese-style barbecue and buffet chain with seven locations across the United States, from California to New Jersey, Texas and Washington.
Chubby Group
Chubby Group is a global multi-brand food and beverage company with corporate offices in Los Angeles, China and Japan, operating 35 restaurant concepts and distributing premium Wagyu and caviar.
The details
Guests customize meals by choosing from meats, sushi, hot dishes, desserts, shabu hot pot and sides, with Japanese, Australian and American Wagyu beef either grilled as barbecue or swished in sauce. Tableside grilling and optional hot pot are also offered, and the company's parent, Chubby Group, distributes premium Wagyu and caviar.
Timeline
Nov. 10, 2026: Wagyu Factory issued a news release announcing the planned Jacksonville opening.
November 2026: Wagyu Factory expects to open the Jacksonville location, with no specific day announced.
Culture Shift
The Jacksonville opening follows the same pattern as GEN Korean BBQ House, which occupied this Markets at Town Center space for 2 1/2 years before its closure. It reflects continued demand in the Southside for all-you-can-eat barbecue formats built around premium beef.
Jacksonville diners on the Southside gain a new all-you-can-eat Wagyu option, with guests able to customize meals from meats, sushi, hot dishes and shabu hot pot. The format suits groups and those who want to control portions and pace their meal across a wide menu.
The takeaway
Premium all-you-can-eat formats are an option for diners who want to sample a range of Wagyu cuts and sides in one sitting. Checking the restaurant's directly announced opening date before planning a visit is advisable, as none has been set.
What happens next
Wagyu Factory expects to open its Jacksonville location in November 2026, though no specific opening day has been announced.
Further reading
For more on the city's dining scene, explore Japanese Food coverage across Jacksonville.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Florida Times-Union.
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