OOTOYA’s sales and operating profit have improved significantly since its acquisition by Colowide. This article reviews the background to the acquisition, current performance and the potential for future growth centered on overseas expansion.
In 2020, Colowide conducted a TOB for OOTOYA Holdings and made it a subsidiary. At the time, there were concerns about the conflict between the founding family and management, as well as the possibility that the value of preparing food by hand in the restaurants would be lost. However, in the fiscal year ended March 2026, sales amounted to ¥37.016 billion and operating profit to ¥2.14 billion, with profit growth outpacing sales growth.
Before the acquisition, in the fiscal year ended March 2019, sales fell 2.0% from the previous fiscal year and operating profit declined 34.7%, pointing to a loss of momentum. By contrast, the figures suggest that rationalisation under Colowide and the rebuilding of operations have produced a measure of results. However, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and rising prices, the company needs to continue verifying the acquisition’s effects rather than taking them on faith.
The two initiatives identified as pillars of the turnaround are combining hand-prepared, in-store cooking with Colowide’s rationalisation expertise, and a “people-first management” approach based on continued dialogue with frontline employees. The aim is to improve the efficiency of store operations while retaining the elements that create value for customers.
The company has identified overseas expansion as a priority for its “third founding,” and Mimori Tomohito (三森 智仁), whose presidency changed to him in June 2026, has expressed his intention to promote Japan’s teishoku dining culture worldwide as Teishoku. He recalls seeing during a visit to Bangkok that OOTOYA’s teishoku meals had strong demand overseas. Striking a balance between product selection for overseas markets and stable operations will be a focus going forward.