Hikari Food Service

Basic Information

Stock Code
138A
Industry
Retail Industry
Category Detail
Restaurants
Prefecture
Aichi Prefecture
Establishment Year
December 2009
Listing Year
February 2024
Official Website
https://hikari-food-service.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance
Yahoo! Finance
Other Companies
Cocolive , D&M Company , INGS , Yakiniku Sakai Holdings , DD Group , Kaifan , Chimney , Eternal Hospitality Group , SFP Holdings , Yoshix Holdings , Kushikatsu Tanaka Holdings , Watami , Daicho

Overview

Hikari Food Service is an izakaya chain founded in 2009 and based in Nagoya, concentrating on small standing-bar style stores near stations, and growing in the local dining industry.

Current Situation

Hikari Food Service achieved listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 2024, expanding performance as a Nagoya-based standing-bar chain. Main stores are concentrated near stations, featuring small stores suited for short-time use. Estimated sales for 2023 are about ¥5 billion, achieving highly profitable store operations. Competitors include Watami and SFP Holdings, differentiating through local focus and low-cost operations. Focusing on digital marketing and customer loyalty enhancement to increase regular patrons. Plans further revenue growth through new store expansion and menu diversification. Introducing energy-saving measures for environmental consideration and promoting sustainable management. Strengthening internal systems and talent development, aiming to establish long-term growth foundation. Emphasizing fresh ingredient procurement and reflecting customer needs per store to enhance market competitiveness.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • Concentrated openings near Nagoya Station, establishing standing-bar style
  • Grown while upholding local focus since founding
  • Store designs reflect local culture
  • Supported by short-time users through small store expansion
  • Engaging in local sake development under own brand
  • Strength in talent development with active qualification support
  • Digital ordering system among early industry adopters
  • Local ingredient use respects Tokai region's food culture
  • Listed in February 2024, one of emerging market注目 stocks
  • Offers franchise support for small izakaya operators
  • Supports dining business research group in collaboration with local universities
  • Catering business at dining events growing
  • Awarded for workplace environment improvements
  • Attracting attention for sustainable dining business stance
  • Also handles talent dispatch services to peer companies

Hidden Connections

  • Jointly developing original local sake with Aichi Prefecture breweries
  • Deep relationships with local agricultural and fishing cooperatives for regional ingredient procurement
  • Digital ordering system co-developed with domestic IT company
  • Involved in fundraising support for local small dining establishments post-listing
  • Partner in local government dining industry revitalization projects
  • Established contract farms for land utilization by retired farmers
  • Contributes to expanding sales channels for local products through university collaborations
  • Provides dining work experience programs in partnership with local high schools

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Expanding demand for station-front compact stores
  • Brand strengthening through establishment in Tokai region
  • Efficient operations and customer expansion via digitalization
  • Accelerated openings through franchise business
  • Advancing local ingredient use and local production trends
  • Gaining customer support with eco-friendly stores
  • Service quality improvement through employee training and retention
  • Customer base expansion through diverse menu rollout
  • Equipment investment and new formats with IPO funds
  • Securing support through strengthened local government ties
  • Service diversification including catering business
  • Advanced food hygiene and safety management

Strategic Goals

  • Capture 20% market share in Tokai area
  • Surpass 100 stores and expand nationwide
  • Achieve over 70% digital order ratio
  • 100% implementation of sustainable store conversion
  • Build and certify local collaboration brand
  • 100% achievement of sustainable ingredient procurement
  • Maintain over 90% employee satisfaction
  • Secure 30% of total sales from new format stores
  • Over 70 franchise stores
  • Improve annual regional contribution activity evaluation

Business Segments

Restaurant Management Support

Overview
Provides store operation and talent development support services for izakaya and restaurant chains.
Competitiveness
Local-focused on-site know-how and network
Customers
  • Izakaya operators
  • Chain restaurants
  • Restaurant owners
  • Franchise owners
  • Hotel dining departments
Products
  • Store operation know-how provision
  • Talent development training
  • Menu development support
  • IT system implementation support
  • Ingredient procurement agency

Ingredient Wholesale Business

Overview
Wholesales select ingredients to restaurants and builds stable supply system.
Competitiveness
Procurement routes centered on local ingredients
Customers
  • Izakaya
  • Restaurant chains
  • Company cafeterias and school meal providers
  • Event catering
  • Food processors
Products
  • Fresh vegetables and seafood
  • Seasonings and processed foods
  • Frozen foods
  • Bulk meat
  • Beverages

Franchise Business

Overview
Strengthens izakaya brand franchising and startup support.
Competitiveness
Know-how transfer from success cases
Customers
  • Individual operators
  • Small and medium enterprises
  • Restaurant entrepreneurs
  • Companies seeking local openings
Products
  • Brand license granting
  • Store design and construction support
  • Management consulting
  • Advertising and promotion support

Events and Catering

Overview
Expands food and drink provision and services for various events.
Competitiveness
Rapid response leveraging local network
Customers
  • Corporate events
  • Local festivals and municipalities
  • Private parties
  • Trade shows and seminars
  • Sports events
Products
  • Catering services
  • Mobile sales
  • Party menus
  • Drink services

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Local-focused store expansion
  • Low-cost operations with small standing bars
  • Customer attraction from station-front locations
  • Diverse dining menus
  • Rapid product development capability
  • Strong franchise foundation
  • Abundant local network
  • Enhanced digital marketing
  • High customer loyalty
  • Eco-friendly store design
  • Experienced management team
  • Utilization of local ingredients
  • Effective staff training
  • Improved brand recognition
  • High customer repeat rate

Competitive Advantages

  • High customer attraction from station-front small store concentration strategy
  • Secures profit margins with lower costs than competitors
  • Product differentiation through strong ties with local ingredients
  • Efficient customer management using digital technology
  • Rapid and diverse new menu development and campaigns
  • Accelerates business expansion with robust franchise system
  • Stable operations closely attuned to local dining demand
  • Maintains service quality by focusing on staff training
  • Enhances brand image by emphasizing environmental considerations
  • Deep understanding and adaptability to Tokai region's dining market
  • Unlike dispersed competitors in the area, scalable through concentrated openings
  • Growth foundation strengthening possible with IPO fundraising
  • Marketing power utilizing abundant existing customer data
  • Industry-leading talent recruitment and training
  • Differentiation through unique store designs

Threats

  • Dining industry demand fluctuations due to economic conditions
  • Risk of renewed infectious disease outbreaks and operating restrictions
  • Stricter food hygiene and labor regulations
  • Intensified competition and price wars from new competitor entries
  • Cost increases from rising raw material prices
  • Risk of service decline due to labor shortages
  • Rapid changes in consumer preferences
  • Risk of store damage from natural disasters or earthquakes
  • Consumption decline amid economic downturn
  • Risk of quality variation in franchise stores
  • Market risk from regional-limited expansion
  • Competitive decline from delayed digitalization

Innovations

2024: Digital Ordering System Introduction

Overview
Promoting digitalization such as tablet ordering in stores to improve efficiency.
Impact
20% reduction in order processing time, improved customer satisfaction

2023: Model Rollout of New Compact Store Format

Overview
Initiated trial rollout of even more compact standing-bar specialized stores.
Impact
10% increase in store unit price, 25% reduction in opening costs

2022: Local Ingredient Utilization Strengthening Project

Overview
Collaborating with local producers to diversify and strengthen ingredient procurement routes.
Impact
5% reduction in ingredient costs, improved local support

2021: Eco-Friendly Store Design Introduction

Overview
Rolled out new store designs conscious of energy saving and waste reduction.
Impact
10% reduction in electricity usage, improved environmental rating

2020: Cloud-Based Back-Office Integration System Introduction

Overview
Integrated store management on cloud platform for operational efficiency.
Impact
30% reduction in management workload, improved data analysis accuracy

Sustainability

  • Introduction of energy-saving equipment and efficient store operations
  • Deployment of food waste reduction programs across stores
  • Promoting local production for local consumption through collaboration with local producers
  • Promotion of recycling and plastic reduction
  • Improving employee work environment and strengthening safety and health management
  • Active participation in community contribution activities
  • Regular in-house training for environmental education
  • Promotion of eco-friendly containers and materials
  • Logistics review considering reduction in transportation load
  • Expansion of energy management system introduction