The era of robots taking craftsmanship to the world. 20 carefully selected stocks related to labor-saving solutions and kitchen robots for the foodservice industry [List of destinations for funds shifting after the AI stock sell-off]

Japan's food-service market is facing an increasingly apparent labor shortage and rising labor costs. Labor-saving investment is expected to advance with support measures including higher minimum wages and subsidies for productivity-enhancing investment by small and medium-sized enterprises. Demand remains strong and food-service sales are rising year on year, but the impact of labor shortages has been highlighted, increasing the importance of food machinery that replicates skilled craftsmanship.

This article selects 20 stocks comprising manufacturers of kitchen equipment and food machinery, providers of digital transformation for restaurants, and food-service chains expanding globally through automation. It explains specific examples of the tasks each company is replacing with machinery and systems.

Hoshizaki produces ice makers, refrigerators and dishwashers, and has overseas sales accounting for more than half of its business. Sales for the fiscal year ended December 2025 were ¥485.8 billion, and the company completed its acquisition of US-based Structural Concepts in 2025, then announced a share buyback of up to ¥30 billion and a stock split in 2026. It has set a medium-term strategy targeting sales of ¥650 billion and an operating margin of 15% in 2029.

Yaskawa Electric operates around servo motors, inverters and industrial robots. Robots accounted for approximately 46% of revenue for the fiscal year ended February 2026, and in June 2026 its head-office employee cafeteria began operating udon and soba preparation cells using the AI robot "MOTOMAN NEXT." Quarterly orders for the fiscal year ending February 2027 reached a record high, and the company has a medium-term plan targeting operating profit of ¥100 billion in fiscal 2029.