USA: Morinaga & Co to acquire MyMochi

Morinaga & Co, the Japanese confectionery and snack manufacturer, has reached a definitive agreement to acquire MyMochi, the leading producer of mochi ice cream in the USA. The strategic acquisition of the Los Angeles-based firm marks a “full scale” entry into the American frozen dessert market for the Tokyo-headquartered group.

MyMochi, which traces its roots to the 1910-founded Japanese confectionery store Mikawaya, is credited with inventing mochi ice cream in 1993. The brand, which offers over 20 flavours of premium ice cream wrapped in sweet rice dough, achieved sales of approximately $80 million in the 52-week period ending 25th January 2026.

The deal aligns with Morinaga’s 2030 business plan, which identifies North America as a priority growth region. The group, which established Morinaga America in 2008, has seen significant success with its Hi-Chew fruit chews and recently announced plans to open a second manufacturing facility in North Carolina in 2027 to further expand production capacity.

Commenting on the acquisition, Teruhiro Kawabe, president and CEO of Morinaga America, said: “In welcoming MyMochi to the Morinaga family, we see a tremendous opportunity to build a sustainable snacking business positioned for future growth”. Upon completion, MyMochi will continue to operate from its current headquarters under the leadership of its existing president and CEO Craig Berger.

Source: Morinaga & Co (via PR Newswire)