Reports that House Foods Group is considering selling its stake in ICHIBANYA sent the share prices of both companies sharply higher on the same day. Concerns about ICHIBANYA's growth have also been cited as part of the background to the reports of a possible sale.
Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported that ICHIBANYA, which operates the popular CoCo Ichi chain, is considering selling its shares, despite being a consolidated subsidiary of House Foods Group Headquarters. On the day the report was published, both companies' share prices surged, with ICHIBANYA recording a substantial gain from the previous day and House Foods also rising. The reported background is said to include expectations of a gain on the sale and improved capital efficiency.
ICHIBANYA reported an ROE of 8.0% for the fiscal year ended February 2026, a relatively high level, while House Foods' ROE was lower at 2.5%. Some have pointed out that a sale of ICHIBANYA could affect House Foods' ROE. ICHIBANYA has sought to pursue an overseas strategy, but some observers say it has struggled in markets including China.