UMENOHANA GROUP CO., LTD.
7604・Standard Market・Retail Trade
Business
Umenohana Group Co., Ltd. (trade name changed in May 2025) is a restaurant and food group that has expanded Japanese cuisine across multiple formats nationwide since opening its first "Yuba to Tofu no Mise Umenohana" store in Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture in 1986. In the Restaurant Business, the company operates 111 stores under brands such as Umenohana, Washoku Nabedokoro Sushihan (Sushihan), Kaisendokoro Sakura Suisan / Sakana ga Ichiban, and Kumamoto Akaushi Shabu-shabu Koubai. In the Takeout Business, it operates 161 stores under the Koichian and Umenohana brands, mainly in department stores and commercial facilities. The Wholesale Business handles B2B sales of processed seafood products and proprietary brand products, as well as mail order sales. The company's manufacturing base consists of three central kitchens located in Kurume, Kyoto, and Sano, and it is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Standard Market. Its main customers are domestic restaurant and department store patrons, in addition to capturing inbound tourism demand.
Business Model
A vertically integrated model that centrally manufactures ingredients at three central kitchen locations—Kurume, Kyoto, and Sano—and supplies them across three channels: Restaurant Business (net sales of ¥16,900 million), Takeout Business (net sales of ¥10,354 million), and Wholesale Business (net sales of ¥2,147 million). The Restaurant Business secures per-customer spending through multiple formats including kaiseki, nabe (hot pot), and izakaya, while the Takeout Business captures seasonal demand at department stores and commercial facilities. The Wholesale Business effectively utilizes manufacturing capacity through B2B sales and mail order. The group's official app, "Umenoapuri," encourages customers to move across formats.
Company Strengths
The company operates central kitchens in Kurume, Kyoto, and Sano, supplying ingredients to all segments including the Restaurant Business, Takeout Business, and Wholesale Business. The introduction of rapid freezers to extend shelf life, improved production efficiency through OEM adoption and product line consolidation, and operation of a circular recycling system serve as the foundation for manufacturing cost control and quality stabilization.
The company operates 111 restaurant locations nationwide (Umenohana 69, Sushihan 8, Sakura Suisan 11, Other 23) and 161 takeout locations (Koichian 102, Umenohana 53, Other 6). Stores are located in diverse locations such as department stores, commercial facilities, and station buildings, and sales of seasonal event products (osechi New Year foods, Setsubun, Hinamatsuri, etc.) are strengthened, securing a second-half-weighted sales pattern.
The company continues its cultivation contract with Hokkaido producers for "Yukipirika" soybeans, which have high isoflavone content and superior appearance quality, and operates a circular recycling system by purchasing the entire crop, including off-grade products. This ensures a stable supply of raw materials and builds long-term relationships with producers, directly contributing to maintaining the quality of core products.
ENVALITH's Perspective
Performance Trend
Consolidated net sales for FY2026 (ending April 2026, revised) were ¥29,824 million (+1.3% YoY), operating profit was ¥648 million (+17.8% YoY), ordinary profit was ¥369 million (-5.1% YoY), and profit attributable to owners of parent was ¥253 million. Net sales slightly exceeded the ¥29,817 million recorded in FY2024 (ending April 2024), and operating profit also improved from ¥550 million in the previous period, but did not reach the ¥820 million level of FY2024 (ending April 2024). Ordinary profit declined YoY, partly due to the impact of equity in earnings of affiliates turning to a loss of ¥31 million (compared with a gain of ¥37 million in the previous period). The full-year forecast for FY2027 (ending April 2027) is net sales of ¥30,000 million (+0.6%) and operating profit of ¥608 million (-6.2%), indicating another expected decline in profit. External factors such as persistently high raw material prices and rising labor costs continue to pressure profits, and the earnings structure remains weighted toward the second half of the year (a cumulative operating loss of ¥29 million is forecast for the first half through the second quarter).
Growth Strategy
Aiming for sustainable growth through five pillars: multi-format store openings, inbound tourism response, DX promotion, overseas expansion, and financial health improvement
Implementing price revisions and adding premium-priced courses in the Restaurant Business to raise average customer spend and improve sales and profit. Aims to maintain and improve profitability by passing on increased raw material and labor costs to prices.
Deploying word-of-mouth promotion measures targeting inbound tourists, such as distributing review cards, to strengthen capture of foreign visitors to Japan. Leverages the cultural appeal of Japanese kaiseki cuisine to boost sales in the Restaurant Business. Trends in the number of visitors to Japan represent an external factor affecting performance.
Strengthening digital sales promotion through utilization of the official app "Umenoapuri," SNS, and the company's own website. In the Takeout Business, deploying measures to increase visit frequency using digital stamp cards, aiming to improve customer loyalty.
Advancing overseas store openings in Thailand and Vietnam, aiming to establish new revenue sources in response to the maturing domestic market. While involving overseas business expansion risks (local regulations, cultural differences, foreign exchange, etc.), pursuing long-term growth opportunities through overseas expansion of the Japanese cuisine brand.
Continuously implementing manufacturing cost reductions and gross margin improvements through promotion of OEM conversion at the central kitchen and consolidation of production items. A structural cost improvement measure benefiting all segments including Restaurant, Takeout, and Wholesale Business.
At the ordinary general meeting of shareholders scheduled to be held on July 29, 2026, a proposal will be submitted to transfer ¥149 million of other capital surplus and ¥220 million of special reserve funds to retained earnings brought forward (total of ¥369 million). The purpose is to strengthen financial soundness by resolving accumulated deficit and to secure future sources of dividend funds.
Last updated: July 17, 2026