コロワイド’s acquisition of the company operating Caffe Veloce was the largest food-service M&A transaction in the first half of 2026, as major restaurant groups accelerate integration efforts to reduce costs and improve productivity against a backdrop of soaring raw material costs.
The number of food-service M&A transactions in the January-June 2026 period reached a record high, while the largest by value was コロワイド’s acquisition of C-United. The acquisition value is said to have reached approximately ¥44.0 billion, and コロワイド expects to expand store openings in cooperation with its existing franchise companies while reducing procurement and logistics costs.
The second-largest transaction was the acquisition by すかいらーくホールディングス of しんぱち, the operator of the set-meal chain しんぱち食堂, for approximately ¥11.0 billion. The company valued the chain’s ability to achieve both high sales per tsubo and profitability at small sites in central Tokyo, with the aim of accelerating its urban store-opening strategy and diversifying location risk.
The third-largest transaction was 松屋フーズホールディングス’ full acquisition of 松富士 for approximately ¥9.1 billion, followed by 魁力屋’s acquisition of エムピーキッチンホールディングス as a subsidiary for approximately ¥5.1 billion. These transactions reflect an emphasis on improving profitability and productivity amid continued increases in raw material costs.
According to a survey by Teikoku Databank, September price increases for food and beverages were the largest on record both in the number of items affected and in rate terms, with higher raw material costs accounting for most of the increase. Efficiency initiatives through strategic M&A are expected to continue.