Triple J now owns Tony Roma’s and Capricciosa

Triple J Saipan Inc. has achieved another milestone after it acquired majority ownership of the famous Tony Roma’s and Capricciosa restaurants in the tourist district of Garapan.

Robert H. Jones, president and chief executive officer of Triple J Enterprises Inc., yesterday said they now own 80.5 percent of the two restaurants, while WDI International vice president Darren Talai now owns 19.5 percent.

Triple J used to own only 20 percent of the two restaurants on Saipan, while WDI International Inc., a subsidiary of WDI Corporation, used to have majority ownership.

Jones said WDI Saipan is now a subsidiary of Triple J Saipan.

In an interview, Jones said they saw an opportunity in having majority ownership of Tony Roma’s and Capricciosa.

“They made some decisions…and so they contacted us and asked if we have interest in taking over Tony Roma’s and Capricciosa. We don’t want to see it closed; they don’t want to see it closed. It was an opportunity for us to step in. We cut certain costs but we kept all the employees,” he said.

The restaurant ownership change took effect on Jan. 30, 2009, but it was kept low profile.

Triple J Saipan’s investment with the two restaurants is at around $450,000, which is less than the initial investment on the same business five years ago, Jones added.

Tony Roma’s and Capricciosa are the second and third restaurants on Saipan owned by Triple J, following the Vietnamese restaurant Truong’s in Susupe.

Triple J has strong faith in the local economy, and calls on other businesses to grab the opportunities available to them.

“I think the economy on Saipan is at the bottom now but it will get start getting better a year from now as long as we don’t lose our tourists from China, Russia, Japan, Korea…I encourage everyone to invest in the opportunities that are available to them and let’s grow our way out of this economic crisis,” he said.

Triple J Saipan Inc. is one of the companies under Triple J Enterprises Inc., which now has over 700 employees throughout the Pacific and has consistently ranked as one of the top companies in Micronesia. It has offices and businesses on Saipan; Guam; Palau; Majuro; Ebeye; Oakland, California; Shanghai, China; and Hakuba, Japan.

The associated companies include Triple J Motors, Triple J Five Star Wholesale Foods, Triple J Retail Stores, Triple J Merchant Services, Triple J 24-Hour Mini-Mart, WDI Restaurants, Outback Steakhouse on Guam, Neco Plaza Corp. in Palau, Hertz Auto Rental in Saipan/Guam/Micronesia, Triple J Real Estate & Consulting, Triple J Exports in Shanghai, China, and JJJ Apricot Ski Hotel in Hakuba, Japan.

For more information about Triple J, visit their website at www.triplej.net.