Via Holdings

Basic Information

Stock Code
7918
Industry
Retail
Category Detail
Restaurants
Prefecture
Tokyo
Establishment Year
February 1948
Listing Year
June 1963
Official Website
https://www.via-hd.co.jp/
TSE Information
TSE Information
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Overview

Via Holdings is a major holding company in the food service industry founded in 1948, operating izakaya chains nationwide and pursuing growth strategies through M&A.

Current Situation

Via Holdings recorded sales of approximately 30 billion yen in the fiscal year ending March 2024 and achieved operating profit black ink for the first time in six periods. Its core business consists of yakitori izakaya and okonomiyaki food service chains, with directly operated and franchise stores deployed nationwide, centered in the Tokyo metropolitan area. It has advanced efficiency improvements through renewal of its core systems since 2019 and store renovations, aiming for recovery from the impact of COVID-19. In 2021, it applied for business rehabilitation ADR, achieving financial soundness through cost reductions and business model reforms. It raised funds through preferred stock issuance and stock acquisition rights, and plans to focus on整理 of unprofitable stores and development of new business formats going forward. It is strengthening services tailored to customer needs and efficient management in response to changes in the food service market.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

  • Ancestral business was printing founded in 1934, now specialized in food service.
  • Achieved operating black ink in about 3 years using business rehabilitation ADR.
  • Binchoan'ya yakitori izakaya is a popular brand in the Kanto region.
  • As of 2024, number of stores: 283 directly operated, 29 franchises.
  • Strengthening fundraising using preferred stock and stock acquisition rights.
  • Entered food service in 1997 after founding in 1948, achieving rapid growth.
  • Experienced market transition in 2021 amid management rehabilitation.
  • Expanded business scale through M&A with many food service competitors.
  • Major shareholders include Asahi Breweries and Nomura Trust Bank.
  • Actively promoting business rebranding.

Hidden Connections

  • Rare history of diversifying from printing into food service.
  • Capital alliance with Asahi Breweries strengthens food service collaboration.
  • Use of business rehabilitation ADR is a rare case in the industry.
  • Strengthens relations with financial institutions through preferred stock issuance.
  • Manages multiple brands centered on urban izakaya business.
  • Repeated store closures and business format changes to focus on financial soundness.
  • Built 24-hour store operation support system.
  • Strong community ties characterized by local community-based stores.

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

  • Recovery expectations in food service and response to diversifying consumer preferences
  • Strengthening acquisition of younger customers through new business format development
  • Business improvements and customer service enhancement via IT utilization
  • Deepening efficient store operations and cost management
  • Optimization of business portfolio using M&A
  • Promotion of local production for local consumption in ingredient procurement and environmental consideration
  • Strengthening fundraising capacity through preferred stock and stock acquisition rights
  • Productivity improvement through employee skill enhancement and work environment improvement
  • Improved response to consumer needs post-COVID
  • Brand value enhancement emphasizing sustainability

Strategic Goals

  • Stable store deployment and revenue maximization in the domestic market
  • Establishment of business rehabilitation success model and support for other companies
  • Further promotion of environmental measures and achievement of CO2 reduction
  • Completion of digital transformation and customer satisfaction improvement
  • Nurturing diverse brands and creating new businesses
  • Organizational strengthening through improved employee retention rate
  • Marketing enhancement using customer data analysis
  • Strengthening resilience to external risks such as new infectious diseases
  • Establishing position as innovation leader in food service industry
  • Building sustainable management foundation and improving social credit

Business Segments

Franchise Support for Food Service Chains

Overview
Supports management and store expansion for franchise affiliates.
Competitiveness
Long years of food service operation know-how and multi-store deployment experience
Customers
  • Food service franchise affiliates
  • Individually operated restaurants
  • Small-scale food businesses
Products
  • Store operation support
  • Product development support
  • Sales promotion services

Business Food Ingredient Procurement and Supply

Overview
Realizes stable ingredient supply for group stores.
Competitiveness
Cost reduction effects through bulk procurement
Customers
  • Own directly operated stores
  • Franchise stores
  • General food service operators
Products
  • Yakitori ingredients
  • Okonomiyaki materials
  • Beverages

Business Rehabilitation and Management Consulting

Overview
Supports rehabilitation of restaurants facing management challenges.
Competitiveness
Know-how leveraging own business rehabilitation experience
Customers
  • Food service businesses
  • Small and medium restaurants
Products
  • Business model reconstruction support
  • Store closure planning
  • Efficiency improvement services

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

  • Abundant izakaya chain operation know-how
  • Business scale expansion through M&A
  • Store network centered in the Tokyo metropolitan area
  • Broad customer base through diverse brand deployment
  • Financial reconstruction experience via business rehabilitation ADR

Competitive Advantages

  • Risk diversification effect from multi-brand deployment
  • Business efficiency improvement through core system renewal
  • Cost reductions through subsidiary integration
  • Prompt handling of underperforming store closures
  • Flexibility in capital procurement via preferred stock issuance

Threats

  • Prolonged impact of COVID-19 on the food service industry
  • Burden of responding to diversifying customer needs
  • Population decline and intensifying competition in the domestic market
  • Risk of rising raw material prices
  • Hiring difficulties due to labor shortages
  • Competitor business reorganizations and new entrants
  • Impact of consumption tax hikes and regulatory strengthening
  • Consumption stagnation due to economic uncertainty

Innovations

2023: Completed Introduction of New Core System

Overview
Completed IT system renewal to improve business efficiency and store operations.
Impact
Progress in productivity improvement and cost reduction

2021: Application and Establishment of Business Rehabilitation ADR

Overview
Strengthened support framework using external certification process to aim for management reconstruction.
Impact
Achieved financial stability and business continuity

2022: Standardization of Multi-Store Deployment Model

Overview
Promotes efficient growth through manualization and unified model of store operations.
Impact
Improved base expansion speed and service quality uniformity

2024: Initiated Rebranding of New Business Formats

Overview
Advancing development of new store brands incorporating market needs.
Impact
Expected to strengthen younger customer acquisition

Sustainability

  • Introduced food waste reduction programs in stores
  • Actively adopting environmentally friendly containers
  • Promoting active use of local ingredients
  • Strengthening employee health management and improving work environment
  • Promoting recycling and thorough waste sorting