For some time now, Tekken enthusiasts have been clamoring for a unique in-game experience: a stage set in Waffle House. While this idea might sound whimsical, it has captured the attention of fans and even the game's director, Katsuhiro Harada. Despite Harada's interest and efforts, Waffle House has yet to bite on the proposal.

On X/Twitter, Harada addressed the ongoing requests from fans for a Waffle House stage in Tekken 8. The demand has gained significant traction, fueled in part by Harada's own curiosity and proactive steps to explore the possibility.

Harada expressed a deep understanding of the fans' desires, revealing that he had already been contemplating the idea and had taken action to make it a reality. "Over the past year or more, I've actually tried to make contact through several different channels," Harada stated on X/Twitter. He speculated that the lack of response from Waffle House might be due to the association with "fighting-themed video games."

To be honest, within the bounds of what I can say, I fully understand your (you guys) request—that's precisely why I had considered taking on this challenge. In fact, I had already been thinking about it quite a while ago.

Over the past year or more, I've actually tried to make… https://t.co/Sa5oSpk2IZ

— Katsuhiro Harada (@Harada_TEKKEN) May 13, 2025

Harada highlighted that receiving "no response" is a rare occurrence for him. He also suggested that if using a different name or format would be acceptable while maintaining the core message, he would be open to revisiting the concept.

As a result, it appears unlikely that characters like Kazuya and Jin will soon be battling under the iconic yellow glow of a Waffle House sign. However, a parody or an in-universe equivalent could be feasible. Harada floated the idea of "Hustle House" in another post, presenting a creative alternative.

Meanwhile, Tekken 8 continues to evolve with the recent release of Patch 2.01 and the upcoming addition of Fahkumram to the roster. In response to fan feedback about Season 2, Harada assured that the tuning team is diligently working to address concerns and improve the game.