Month 6: Closing Day & First Days as Owners — We Took Over Sawa Hibachi! 🎉
July 17, 2026
This past Wednesday morning, with keys in hand and documents signed, we officially closed on Sawa Hibachi Steakhouse & Sushi Bar in Boynton Beach, Florida. We’ve now completed our first two full days as restaurant owners — and what an incredible (and busy!) start it’s been.
After 28 years in corporate leadership and the unexpected layoff that changed everything, DKM Legacy Holdings Inc. is now the proud owner of this beloved 16-year community favorite. What a full-circle moment.
The Final Stretch to Closing
The last month was intense but rewarding:
- SBA 7(a) funding cleared the final hurdles
- Lease assumption and ownership transfer completed
- Licenses and permits secured (Sales Tax, temporary operating license, and more)
The day before closing was especially busy. Marcus and I spent the entire day handling critical transfers — utilities, credit card merchant accounts, DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub, and vendor relationships. It was hectic, but we powered through and got everything successfully moved over.
We’re also proud to have completed important certifications: my ServSafe Manager (Food Protection Manager) and Marcus’s Food Handler/Prep certification. These have already proven valuable as we step into daily operations.
Honoring Sawa’s Legacy: 45 Days of Training
One of the joyful moments we’re committed to preserving — the classic hibachi experience that brings smiles to families like this one.
A cornerstone of our transition is the 45 days of hands-on training with the previous owners. We’re fully committed to learning every detail that has made Sawa successful for 16 years — from kitchen workflows and customer favorites to the daily rhythms that built its loyal following.
It’s incredibly important to us to preserve the quality and legacy before introducing our personal touches. These first two days have already shown us how much heart the team pours into this place. We’re here to support and build on that foundation.
Building the Team
We’re already looking ahead and have posted two key openings to strengthen leadership:
- Head Chef
- FOH Manager / Bartender
These roles will help replace the many hats the previous owners were wearing, allowing the team to focus on their strengths and reduce burnout while maintaining the high standards Sawa is known for.
Why This Matters So Much
This acquisition is deeply personal. My mother built successful Thai-Chinese restaurants in Georgia as a widow raising seven children. Today, partnering with my husband Marcus and with our son Colin’s hibachi expertise ready to contribute, we’re continuing that legacy of resilience and warm hospitality in our new Florida home.
What’s Next — Early Days as Owners
We’ve now completed our first two days on the ground. The learning curve is real, but the energy is high. For the remainder of the 45-day training period, our focus remains on listening, learning, and maintaining Sawa’s high standards. Then we’ll thoughtfully add our touches — menu refinements, community events, happy hour specials, and more — while always honoring what came before.
We’ll keep sharing the real journey here: the wins, challenges, and everyday moments of becoming restaurant owners.
Thank you to everyone who’s followed along — your encouragement has meant the world. Boynton Beach community, we’re honored to join you and can’t wait to welcome you back to Sawa.
Tell us in the comments
What’s your favorite hibachi or sushi memory at Sawa, or a dish you hope stays on the menu? We’d love to hear your thoughts as we move forward!
Here’s to honoring the past while building an even brighter future — one plate at a time.
We’re officially open for business… and for learning.
— Denise Kenson
President & Owner, DKM Legacy Holdings Inc.