Food service expenditures in 2011 are forecast to decrease 3.2% year-on-year due to declines immediately after the 2011 earthquake in Japan, though signs of recovery emerged in later months. Expenditures in 2012 are forecast to increase 1.8% as incomes improve. Net sales of food service chain companies declined 1.2% in 2011 due to quake impacts and weather, but are expected to rise in 2012 as consumption restraint eases and incomes recover. Mid-term results for 2011 showed profit growth for many fast food companies due to successful new store openings.
Food service expenditures in 2011 are forecast to decrease 3.2% year-on-year due to declines immediately after the 2011 earthquake in Japan, though signs of recovery emerged in later months. Expenditures in 2012 are forecast to increase 1.8% as incomes improve. Net sales of food service chain companies declined 1.2% in 2011 due to quake impacts and weather, but are expected to rise in 2012 as consumption restraint eases and incomes recover. Mid-term results for 2011 showed profit growth for many fast food companies due to successful new store openings.
Food service expenditures in 2011 are forecast to decrease 3.2% year-on-year due to declines immediately after the 2011 earthquake in Japan, though signs of recovery emerged in later months. Expenditures in 2012 are forecast to increase 1.8% as incomes improve. Net sales of food service chain companies declined 1.2% in 2011 due to quake impacts and weather, but are expected to rise in 2012 as consumption restraint eases and incomes recover. Mid-term results for 2011 showed profit growth for many fast food companies due to successful new store openings.
2, Iron and Steel - J apan 3, Non-ferrous Metals - J apan 4, Paper and Pulp (Japanese only) 5, Cement - J apan 6, Chemicals - J apan 7, Pharmaceuticals - Japan 8, Petroleum - J apan 9, Automobiles - J apan 10, Shipbuilding (J apanese only) 11, General Machinery (J apanese only) 12, Electronics - J apan 13, IT Services - J apan 14, Telecommunications - J apan
15, Broadcasting (J apanese only) 16, Marine Shipping (J apanese only) 17, Logistics - J apan 18, Electric Power - J apan 19, City Gas (J apanese only) 20, Retail - J apan 21, Food and Beverage - Japan 22, Food Service Industry - J apan 23, Construction (J apanese only) 24, Real Estate and Housing - J apan 25, Travel and Tourism - J apan 26, Nonbank (Credit Cards & Credit) (J apanese only) 27, HR Service Industry (J apanese only)
Japan Industry Outlook / 38 2012 No.1 Contact: Industry Research Division Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd. mizuho.ird@mizuho-cb.co.jp
FY2012 Japan Industry Outlook (Food Service Industry)
The Food Service Industry
Summary Food service expenditures (per household member) in 2011 are forecasted to be minus 3.2% year-on-year as a whole, largely due to the fall in food service expenditures immediately after the Great East Japan Earthquake, despite signs of the leveling off of the expenditure declines from June and beyond. Food service expenditures in 2012 are forecasted to increase 1.8% year-on-year. While reconstruction-related demand is expected to peak out in the second half of the year, bringing with it some uncertainties about the mood of self-restraint in consumption, food service expenditures are forecasted to increase in 2012 as a whole with the income environment expected to improve, including an increase in summer bonuses as corporate performance improves. Net sales of all stores of food service chain companies as a whole in 2011 were minus 1.2% year-on-year as a result of the impact of negative factors, including the mood of self-restraint in consumption following the earthquake, restraint in summer events, and poor weather. Net sales of all stores in 2012 are forecasted to increase as a whole, due to the expected increase in the number of customers and sales per customer based on the easing of the self-restraint in consumption following the earthquake and improvements in the income environment. Furthermore, the number of stores is expected to increase as a result of new store openings, primarily in the FF category. The fiscal 2011 mid-term results of 39 listed food service companies (with over JPY20 billion in net sales) showed revenue increases and profit increases owing to the significant number of new store openings in the Japanese fast food category (hereinafter FF category) centered around the gyudon chain companies. The fiscal 2011 results of eight major companies were dominated by the results of individual companies, including Zensho HDs revenue increase as a result of opening new Sukiya stores and McDonalds HDs revenue decrease as a result of franchising and store relocations.
I. INDUSTRY TRENDS 1. Food service expenditure trends Food service expenditures (per household member) in 2011 are forecasted to be minus 3.2% year-on-year, largely due to the fall in food service expenditures from March to May caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake, despite signs of the leveling off of the expenditure declines from June and beyond (Figure 22-1). While food service expenditures decreased by as much as 16.0% Food service expenditures in 2011 forecasted to decrease 3.2% year-on-year Mizuho Corporate Bank, Industry Research Division 1
FY2012 Japan Industry Outlook (Food Service Industry) year-on-year in March, they recovered to register a 1.3% year-on-year increase by July. Several overlapping factors contributed to the significant recovery in July, including the payment of summer bonuses and the easing of self-restraint in consumption following the earthquake, an earlier-than-usual end of the rainy season, and one additional national holiday compared to July 2011. In August 2011, the restraint of summer events and poor weather led to fewer opportunities for food service utilization, and food service expenditures were minus 3.3% year-on-year. However, food service expenditures are on a path to recovery from the earthquake disaster, with expenditures increasing 0.1% year-on-year in October and being minus 0.3% year-on-year in November. Food service expenditures in 2012 are forecasted to register growth in the first half of the year as the income environment improves with the recovery in corporate performance. In the second half of the year, while reconstruction-related demand is expected to peak out, bringing with it some uncertainties, the income environment is anticipated to remain as solid as the first half of the year. Hence, food service expenditures for the whole year are forecasted to increase 1.8% year-on-year. Food service expenditures in 2012 forecasted to increase 1.8% year-on-year The ratio between food service and home meal replacement expenditures as a share of the food expenditures in 2011 (ratio of home meal replacements) has, as a whole, maintained a certain ratio even after the earthquake and is forecasted to be 28.3%, around the same level as the previous year (Figure 22-2). Due to a decline in opportunities for food service utilization, the ratio of food service expenditures decreased by minus 0.4p year-on-year. Meanwhile, as demand for home meal replacements increased through their sales at retail stores, such as convenience stores, owing to their convenience in terms of both price and location, the ratio of home meal replacements increased by 0.3p year-on-year. As such, awareness is quickly spreading about the convenience of home meal replacements among consumers. Earthquakes effect to cause shift in consumer demand from food service to home meal replacement
Mizuho Corporate Bank, Industry Research Division 2
FY2012 Japan Industry Outlook (Food Service Industry) Mizuho Corporate Bank, Industry Research Division 3
[Fig. 22-1] Food service expenditure and food expenditure (monthly) year-on-year rate of growth (per household member) (Source) Compiled by MHCB Industry Research Division based on Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Statistics Bureau's Household Survey Report. (Note) Figures for two or more person households. [Fig. 22-2] Ratio of food service and home meal replacement expenditures as a share of food expenditures (Source) Compiled by MHCB Industry Research Division based on Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Statistics Bureaus Household Survey Report. (Note) Home meal replacement expenditures are prepared foods excluding frozen prepared foods and food stuff for cooking. 2011 figures are based on MHCB Industry Research Division forecasts. 17.9 17.7 18.0 17.7 18.0 18.0 17.9 18.1 18.2 18.0 18.1 17.7 9.2 9.6 9.7 9.8 9.7 10.2 10.4 10.2 9.9 10.0 10.3 10.6 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011e (Unit: %) Home meal replacement Food service 28. 3 28. 4 28. 0 28. 2 28. 3 28. 3 28. 2 27. 6 27. 7 27. 4 27. 1 Rat io of home meal replacement (CY) 27. 7 - - - 2 0 0 1 2 0 0 2 2 0 0 3 2 0 0 4 2 0 0 5 2 0 0 6 2 0 0 7 2 0 0 8 2 0 0 9 2 0 1 0 2 0 1 1 e 0 8 / 123456789 1 0 1 1 1 2 0 9 / 123456789 1 0 1 1 1 2 1 0 / 123456789 1 0 1 1 1 2 1 1 / 123456789 1 0 1 1 18.0 14.0 10.0 -6.0 -2.0 2.0 6.0 10.0 14.0
12 12 () (Unit: %) 12-mont h moving averages (food expenditure) food expendit ure 12-mont h moving averages (food service expenditure) food service expendit ure <Yearly> <Monthly> Food service 3.2% Food 1.1%
FY2012 Japan Industry Outlook (Food Service Industry) Mizuho Corporate Bank, Industry Research Division 4 2. Chain company trends The trends of franchise chain companies, which account for JPY3.9 trillion (estimate) of the JPY22.9 trillion-food service market in 2011 (estimate), are examined based on the company trends of the Japan Food Service Association (JF) members (requirement for full membership: company with over JPY100 million in annual sales) (Figure 22-3). Net sales of all chain companies, including sales of newly opened stores, were minus 1.2% year-on-year in 2011 as a result of the impact of negative factors, including the mood of self-restraint in consumption following the earthquake and poor weather in August and September (Figure 22-4). Net sales of all chain companies in 2012 are anticipated to increase throughout the year due to the easing of the self-restraint in consumption following the earthquake and an improved income environment with the recovery in corporate performance. However, reconstruction-related demand is expected to peak out, bringing with it some uncertainties, and the situation remains unpredictable.
Next, chain company trends are examined according to four categories: FF category (2011 market size: JPY1.7 trillion 1 ); family restaurant category (hereinafter FR category; 2011 market size: JPY0.8 trillion); pub and izakaya category (2011 market size: JPY0.5 trillion); and dinner restaurant category (hereinafter DR category; 2011 market size: JPY0.2 trillion). To understand the characteristics of each category, both one-month and three-month moving averages are confirmed to analyze the trends. Net sales of all stores in 2011 in the FF category, while registering minus 8.3% year-on-year based on the
1 The 2011 market size of each category is projected based on Japan Food Service Associations March 2011 Food Service Industry Management Trends Survey Report and Market Trends Survey and is comprised of 95 listed companies. (Source) Compiled by MHCB Industry Research Division based on Japan Food Service Association documents. (Note) Three-month moving averages. [Fig. 22-3] Estimated size of food service market by category (2011) [Fig. 22-4] Chain companies (monthly) year-on-year growth (all stores) Net sales of all stores (including new stores) in 2011 minus 1.2% year-on-year
Net sales of all stores (including new stores) in 2012 forecasted to increase Background and trends of sales recovery differ by chain category
(Source) MHCB Industry Research Division projections based on Japan Food Service Association's March 2011 Food Service Industry Management Trends Survey Report and Food Services Report and Foodservice Industry Research Institutes 2010 Food Service Industry Market Projection. -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 2 0 0 4 2 0 0 6 2 0 0 8 2 0 1 0 0 8 / 2 0 8 / 4 0 8 / 6 0 8 / 8 0 8 / 1 0 0 8 / 1 2 0 9 / 2 0 9 / 4 0 9 / 6 0 9 / 8 0 9 / 1 0 0 9 / 1 2 1 0 / 2 1 0 / 4 1 0 / 6 1 0 / 8 1 0 / 1 0 1 0 / 1 2 1 1 / 2 1 1 / 4 1 1 / 6 1 1 / 8 1 1 / 1 0 1 1 / 1 2 CY) 6 8 (%) Sales Store number Customer number Sales per customer <Monthly> <Yearly> JPY19.0 trillion (83%) JPY3.9 trillion (17%) Franchise stores Total JPY22.9 trillion Private stores
FY2012 Japan Industry Outlook (Food Service Industry) single-month average in March, recovered to +2.0% year-on-year based on three-month moving averages in November (Figure 22-5). The major contributing factors were that among the FF category, chain companies such as leading gyudon companies Sukiya, Yoshinoya, and Matsuya as well as leading self-service udon noodle company, Marugame Seimen, continued to open new stores even after the earthquake. In 2012, new gyudon and self-service udon noodle stores are expected to open. As a result of this increase in store numbers, net sales of all stores are expected to see a positive trend. Net sales of all stores in 2011 in the FR category fell to minus 9.4% year-on-year based on the single-month average in March as a consequence of the earthquake (Figure 22-6). From June and beyond, while the number of customers increased, helped by marketing measures centered around the mass media, net sales of all stores based on three-month moving averages stayed at 0% year-on-year even in December, due in part to the poor weather from August to September. In 2012, while companies will be less willing to open new stores and the number of stores will hover around the same level, brand shifts by existing stores of companies, such as Skylark and Royal HD, and renovations of the existing stores of companies are projected to increase the number of customers, in turn leading to a positive trend in net sales of all stores. Net sales of all stores in 2011 in the pub and izakaya category fell sharply by minus 19.8% year-on-year based on the single-month average in March and continued to decrease based on both one-month and three-month moving averages (Figure 22-7). This negative trend has continued almost consistently since November 2008. The reasons include the increase of the elderly population, the decrease in alcohol consumption among the young generation, and the novelty of existing izakaya stores wearing off among consumers. For these reasons, net sales are projected to continue to decrease in 2012. Net sales of all stores in 2011 in the DR category, while falling to minus 19.5% compared to all years based on the single-month average in March, showed strong recovery in June, increasing 0.6% based on three-month moving averages (Figure 22-8). It is projected that this is the result of an increase in the number of customers and sales per customer and that this capture the consumers needs to enjoy a little luxury in response to the self-constraint in consumption. Net sales of all stores in 2012, while expected to increase due to the easing of the self-restraint in consumption following the earthquake in the first half of the year, are forecasted to decrease as companies slow down in new store openings in the second half of the year, causing store numbers to level off. Mizuho Corporate Bank, Industry Research Division 5
FY2012 Japan Industry Outlook (Food Service Industry) Mizuho Corporate Bank, Industry Research Division 6
II. CORPORATE EARNINGS 1. Mid-term results of food service companies (39 listed companies) The fiscal 2011 mid-term results of 39 listed food service companies with over JYP20 billion in net sales showed revenue increases and profit increases (net sales +0.2% and operating income +12.6% compared to fiscal 2010 [Figure 22-9]). The revenue increase stemmed in large part due to new store openings by low-priced brands. Specifically, Japanese FF Zensho HD (sales +7.5% year-on-year) and Matsuya Foods (+6.9% year-on-year) increased sales by actively opening new stores and increasing customer numbers through price-down campaigns in the gyudon business. In addition, Toridoll, operator of (Source) Compiled by MHCB Industry Research Division based on Japan Food Service Association documents. (Note) Three-month moving averages. [Fig. 22-5] (Monthly) year-on-year rate of growth in FF category (all stores) (Source) Compiled by MHCB Industry Research Division based on Japan Food Service Association documents. (Note) Three-month moving averages. [Fig. 22-6] (Monthly) year-on-year rate of growth in FR category (all stores) (Source) Compiled by MHCB Industry Research Division based on Japan Food Service Association documents. (Note) Three-month moving averages. (Source) Compiled by MHCB Industry Research Division based on Japan Food Service Association documents. (Note) Three-month moving averages. [Fig. 22-8] (Monthly) year-on-year rate of growth in DR category (all stores) [Fig. 22-7] (Monthly) year-on-year rate of growth in pub/izakaya category (all stores) -10 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 2 0 0 4 2 0 0 6 2 0 0 8 2 0 1 0 0 8 / 2 0 8 / 4 0 8 / 6 0 8 / 8 0 8 / 1 0 0 8 / 1 2 0 9 / 2 0 9 / 4 0 9 / 6 0 9 / 8 0 9 / 1 0 0 9 / 1 2 1 0 / 2 1 0 / 4 1 0 / 6 1 0 / 8 1 0 / 1 0 1 0 / 1 2 1 1 / 2 1 1 / 4 1 1 / 6 1 1 / 8 1 1 / 1 0 1 1 / 1 2 (CY) (%) Sales Store number Customer number Sales per customer <Monthly> <Yearly> -8 -6 -4 -2 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 2 0 0 4 2 0 0 6 2 0 0 8 2 0 1 0 0 8 / 2 0 8 / 4 0 8 / 6 0 8 / 8 0 8 / 1 0 0 8 / 1 2 0 9 / 2 0 9 / 4 0 9 / 6 0 9 / 8 0 9 / 1 0 0 9 / 1 2 1 0 / 2 1 0 / 4 1 0 / 6 1 0 / 8 1 0 / 1 0 1 0 / 1 2 1 1 / 2 1 1 / 4 1 1 / 6 1 1 / 8 (CY) 0 2 4 6 8 10 1 1 / 1 0 1 1 / 1 2 (%) Sales Store number Customer number Sales per customer <Monthly> <Yearly> -15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 2 0 0 4 2 0 0 6 2 0 0 8 2 0 1 0 0 8 / 2 0 8 / 4 0 8 / 6 0 8 / 8 0 8 / 1 0 0 8 / 1 2 0 9 / 2 0 9 / 4 0 9 / 6 0 9 / 8 0 9 / 1 0 0 9 / 1 2 1 0 / 2 1 0 / 4 1 0 / 6 1 0 / 8 1 0 / 1 0 1 0 / 1 2 1 1 / 2 1 1 / 4 1 1 / 6 1 1 / 8 1 1 / 1 0 1 1 / 1 2 (CY) (%) Sales Store number Customer number Sales per customer <Monthly> <Yearly> -12 -10 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 8 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 2 0 0 4 2 0 0 6 2 0 0 8 2 0 1 0 0 8 / 2 0 8 / 4 0 8 / 6 0 8 / 8 0 8 / 1 0 0 8 / 1 2 0 9 / 2 0 9 / 4 0 9 / 6 0 9 / 8 0 9 / 1 0 0 9 / 1 2 1 0 / 2 1 0 / 4 1 0 / 6 1 0 / 8 1 0 / 1 0 1 0 / 1 2 1 1 / 2 1 1 / 4 1 1 / 6 1 1 / 8 1 1 / 1 0 1 1 / 1 2 (CY) (%) Sales Store number Customer number Sales per customer <Monthly> <Yearly>
FY2012 Japan Industry Outlook (Food Service Industry) Mizuho Corporate Bank, Industry Research Division 7 the self-service udon noodle restaurant chain (+24.8% year-on-year), increased sales by new store openings. The profit increase stemmed from companies continued closures of unprofitable stores and wide-ranging cost review, coupled with new store openings by Japanese FF, including Zensho, Matsuya Foods, and Toridoll. While the overall result was revenue increases and profit increases, among the 11 food service categories, only 3 had revenue increases and profit increases due to the impact of sales declines in the earthquakes immediate aftermath.
(Source) Compiled by MHCB Industry Research Division based on corporate financial statement documents. (Note) Major food service companies: 39 listed companies with over JPY20 billion in sales (fiscal 2010 results) and public records of net sales and operating income by category (1. Western FR: Saizeriya; Joyfull; Create Restaurants; Saint Marc HD; Nippon Restaurant System; 2. Japanese FR: Gourmet Kineya; Sato Restaurant Systems; Sagami Chain; 3. DR: Kisoji; Umenohana; 4. Western FF: McDonalds Holdings Japan; Kentucky Fried Chicken Japan; Mos Food Services; 5. Japanese FF: Zensho [individual basis]; Yoshinoya HD [gyudon business]; Matsuya Foods; Ichibanya; Toridoll; Fujio Food System; 6. Izakaya [Japanese style bar/restaurant]: Colowide; Watami [food services business]; Daisyo; Via HD; Dynac; Sanko Marketing Foods; 7. Cafe: Starbucks Coffee Japan; Doutor; 8. Food service: SHiDAX; 9. Kaitenzushi [revolving sushi bar]: Kappa Create; Kura Corporation; Genki Sushi; 10. Home meal replacement: Plenus; Hurxley; Rock Field; Kozosushi So-Honbu; 11. Chinese/Ramen: Ohsho Food Service; Ringerhut; Kourakuen; Hiday Hidaka) While Nippon Restaurant System and Doutor are listed in separate categories, they are counted as one company. [Fig. 22-9] Fiscal 2011 mid-term results by food service category (year-on-year change) -40.0 -30.0 -20.0 -10.0 -15.0 -10.0 -5.0 0.0 10.0 20.0 30.0 40.0 50.0 60.0 0.0 5.0 10.0 15.0 Revenue increase / profit decrease Revenue increase / profit increase Revenue decrease / profit increase Revenue decrease / profit decrease Kaitenzushi (3) Japanese FF(6) Chinese (4) Western FR (5) Total (39) Cafe (2) Western FF (3) Home meal replacement (4) DR (2) Izakaya (6) Japanese FR (3) Net sales: -2.86% Operating income: +523% Service (1) Net sales: - 4.68% Operating income: +1031%
FY2012 Japan Industry Outlook (Food Service Industry) Mizuho Corporate Bank, Industry Research Division 8 (8 major companies) McDonalds HD Japan; Zensho HD; Yoshinoya HD; Colowide; Watami; Royal HD; Seven & i Food Systems; and Saizeriya (Source) Compiled by MHCB Industry Research Division based on corporate financial statement documents. (Note) Figures: Consolidated base; For Seven & i Food Systems, figures from Seven & i Holdings' food business are used. Figures for FY2011 and FY2012 are based on MHCB Industry Research Division forecasts. 2. Results of eight major companies The fiscal 2011 results of eight major companies show revenue decreases and profit increases, with net sales minus 1.0% and operating income up 5.9% year-on-year (Figure 22-10). With regard to net sales, while Zensho HDs opening of new Sukiya stores is expected to increase revenues, McDonalds Holdings Japans revenue decreases as a result of franchising and store relocations are forecasted to weigh down overall revenues. As for operating income, Zensho HDs profit increase owing to expanded sales, McDonalds improvement in cost ratio through franchising, and all companies reductions in cost ratio and selling, general and administrative (SGA) expenses through cost-cutting measures are forecasted to increase overall profits.
The fiscal 2012 results of eight major companies are forecasted to record a JPY22 billion yen increase in revenues year-on-year due to: 1) Sales increases from Zensho HDs and Yoshinoya HDs new store openings and new menus for their gyudon business; and 2) Sales increases from Watamis new office openings for its nursing care and elderly-oriented home delivery service businesses. Profits are also forecasted to increase by JPY6.3 billion year-on-year due to: 1) Profit increases from the above sales increases for Zensho HD, Yoshinoya HD, and Watami; and 2) Improved cost ratio from McDonalds Holdings Japans franchising efforts.
III. TOPICS: Promising Business Areas in the Medium-Term Food Service Industry With Japan set to face a decreasing population and a declining birthrate and aging society, a mid- to long-term contraction of the domestic food service market is inevitable. However, the Great East Japan Earthquake has triggered Revenue decreases and profit increases in FY2011 highlighted by Zensho HD and McDonalds HD results Revenue increases and profit increases anticipated in FY2012 [Fig. 22-10] Results forecast for 8 major companies Possibility of food service companies capturing home meal replacement market [Actual] Companies FY10 FY11 FY12 (Unit) (Result) (Estimate) (Forecast) (JPY100 million) [Rate of Chan 13,809 Net Sales Operating Incom 13,677 13,897 Operating Incom Net Sales 8 Major Companies ge] (Year on Year) FY10 FY11 FY12 (Result) (Estimate) (Forecast) 42.0 5.9 7.7 - 0.3 - 1.0 1.6 (Unit) 8 Major Companies (%) e e 774 820 883
FY2012 Japan Industry Outlook (Food Service Industry) Mizuho Corporate Bank, Industry Research Division 9 an increase in home meal replacement expenditures. Furthermore, home-cooked meals and home meal replacements account for a large proportion of the food expenditures of elderly households. A key to a successful business strategy for food service providers will thus be the capturing of the home-cooked meal and home meal replacement markets. In particular, as many operators of low-priced food service chains have said, it is certain that convenience stores, too, will become competitive in both price and convenience. In this context, food providers will face an increasingly fierce battle for the food market, with retail stores also participating in the battle. From this perspective, the food service industry has witnessed an increasing number of companies starting home delivery services from their restaurants, as well as companies establishing drive-thru services, with the aim of capturing the home meal replacement market by offering a wide selection of eat-in, take-out (drive-thru), and delivery services. Nonetheless, food service companies core service is providing food and customer service to those consumers who come to their restaurants (eat-in). Home meal replacement services, such as take-out and delivery, are merely additional services or an extension of eating-in. As long as the QSC 2 evaluation is low (based on the eat-in menu, the cleanliness and atmosphere of the restaurants exterior and interior, and customer service), this will not lead to the use of take-out and delivery services, and in turn, to the capture of the home meal replacement market. Therefore, it goes without saying that it is essential that the food service industry continues to improve the attractiveness of eating-in. In view of the growing elderly population, another possible option for food service providers is to use food as a gateway into businesses for the elderly. For example, Watami, an izakaya (Japanese style bar/restaurant) operator, entered the nursing care business by purchasing R No Kaigo Inc. in 2005. It has also entered the food delivery business for the elderly by purchasing Takushoku Co., Ltd. in 2008. Watami has succeeded in expanding both businesses by utilizing its knowhow in materials procurement and meal preparation accumulated through its food service business, as well as by setting forth a concept to provide high quality food. Meanwhile, overseas, the middle income tier is expanding with the economic growth in neighboring Asian countries. Also, with Japanese food increasing in brand value, the overseas is becoming an attractive market and steadily drawing in Japanese food service companies. Nonetheless, most companies that have established businesses overseas are chain companies with overseas stores numbering in the range of only a few stores to several dozens of stores. It is difficult to say that at present Japanese food is being provided to a greater
2 QSC stands for Quality (quality of menu), Service (customer service), and Cleanliness, and is the most fundamental principle that ought to be followed by companies and employees in the food service industry. Possibility of using food as a gateway into businesses for the elderly
Possibility of establishing many stores overseas utilizing local companies
FY2012 Japan Industry Outlook (Food Service Industry) number of the world population. Furthermore, due to the difference in price levels with Japan, the contribution to the companys sales and profits continues to remain low. For future expansions into the overseas market, it is the view of the author that it will be most effective to forge partnerships with local companies as a solution to different challenges confronting companies, including those challenges which cannot simply be dealt with through the business knowhow acquired in Japan, such as the overseas securing of real estate, marketing, and labor management, and the large amount of investment required to open new stores. In Asian countries, with the expansion of the middle income tier and the diversification of the food culture, local companies may be found that are interested in the Japanese food service business. It is hoped that Japanese food service companies will forge partnerships with local companies to establish many stores swiftly, provide Japanese food to more people overseas, and contribute to the development of the food culture in all the countries. Shinya Endo Distribution & Consumer-related Team Industry Research Division Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd.
Mizuho Corporate Bank, Industry Research Division 10
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