{
  "id": 4787595,
  "title": "Japan’s most popular curry rice restaurant chain, Coco Ichibanya, might be for sale",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/japans-most-popular-curry-rice-restaurant-chain-coco-ichibanya-might",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-01T05:00:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SoraNews24",
    "slug": "soranews24",
    "url": "https://soranews24.com/2026/09/01/japans-most-popular-curry-rice-restaurant-chain-coco-ichibanya-might-be-for-sale/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "One of Japan's most beloved curry rice chains, Coco Ichibanya, may soon be up for sale. The company, founded in 1978, has seen its profits drop amid rising ingredient costs, despite the enduring popularity of its dish. Owned by House Foods Group, the chain has been profitable for many years, selling curry rice to millions of customers. However, the current economic climate is making it difficult for House Foods to sustain its investment in the chain. Despite this, the quality of the food remains unchanged, and House Foods has not yet confirmed the sale. Those who have enjoyed Coco Ichibanya's curry are advised to savor it while they still can, as changes may be coming.",
  "summary": "Economic and cultural factors are making it hard to make money selling one of Japan’s favorite meals. For curry rice fans, buying some Cocoichi often sounds like an appealing idea. Soon, though, someone might not only have the opportunity to purchase curry rice at Japan’s most popular curry restaurant chain, but to buy the chain […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Nikkei Asia",
        "title": "Sushiro bets on affordable sushi as Japan restaurant chains expand in US",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/sushiro-bets-on-affordable-sushi-as-japan-restaurant-chains-expand-in",
        "published": "2026-08-31T23:42:39.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}