The Energon Pub

News Credits: 4838 · by **william-james88** » Mon Apr 24, 2023 12:33 am

This is pretty damn cool. Hasbro has unveiled a brand new official Transformers themed restauraunt in Hong Kong. It is called The Ark and it offers Transformers themed sandwiched along in a setting resembling the Ark along with lots of merchandize. Basically, a dream come true for fans, especially those who like crab patty burgers. You can see below images of the interior and exterior, the merchandise offered inside and the food available.

The images come from Facebook pages Botposting and Unicron

by **muddyjoe** » Mon Apr 24, 2023 8:22 am

IS THIS REAL LIFE??? :shock:

THESE NEED TO BE WORLD-WIDE!!!

News Credits: 2 · by **partholon** » Mon Apr 24, 2023 10:14 am

this is pretty damn cool.

News Credits: 30 · by **DeathReviews** » Mon Apr 24, 2023 11:35 am

Cool, yes. But - will it last? Theme restaurants are the kind that I keep having to reap, because besides the initial novelty, there usually isn't enough of a customer base to keep it running for the long haul. Pirate, Renaissance, Medieval themed eateries - I've seen 'em come and seen 'em go, often within a year or two of them opening. Sad, really. Hope that's not the case here - we shall see.

by **noctorro** » Mon Apr 24, 2023 1:13 pm

muddyjoe wrote:IS THIS REAL LIFE???

Is it just fantasy!!!!

Ontopic, I love McDonalds and know it's low quality so if this visually awesome joint has at least McDonalds level quality food that would be amazing.

... who am I kidding, if it were in my town it would be my only restaurant I'd go.

Hopefully it isn't double priced and the toys are just regular or 10% +, I wouldn't mind I'd buy it there just to support this whole insane idea.

by **cloudballoon** » Mon Apr 24, 2023 2:21 pm

noctorro wrote:Hopefully it isn't double priced and the toys are just regular or 10% +, I wouldn't mind I'd buy it there just to support this whole insane idea.

I'd say it's about right, if I convert it from HKD to Canadian CAD. With USD's fast food slightly cheaper than across the border in my experience, it might be even more than doubled. Try to take off a zero from the price and you should be in the ballpark.

News Credits: 241 · by **Jelze Bunnycat** » Mon Apr 24, 2023 5:54 pm

DeathReviews wrote:Cool, yes. But - will it last? Theme restaurants are the kind that I keep having to reap, because besides the initial novelty, there usually isn't enough of a customer base to keep it running for the long haul. Pirate, Renaissance, Medieval themed eateries - I've seen 'em come and seen 'em go, often within a year or two of them opening. Sad, really. Hope that's not the case here - we shall see.

If a restaurant relies more than the novelty of its appearance rather than the quality of its food... The only thing special about it is the Autobrand-shaped buns, that's it. Nothing I'd be going nuts over *shrugs*

by **cloudballoon** » Mon Apr 24, 2023 7:37 pm

In HK, and of course Japan, the Gundam franchise got far larger fan bases. TF wouldn't even rank as a top 3 (for kids OR collectors), so I'm a little bit surprised that Gundam Cafe doesn't yet have a base in HK before a TF-themed restaurant got in. Gundam Cafes -- though they all closed down during the pandemic -- have constant rotation of exclusives & events to attract fans to go back again & again. This HK TF:The Ark though? Not sure what it can do after the initial open buzz die down. Can't imagine Hasbro US/Asia doing much to help out with ideas and execution either.