Kisshokichi

Kisshokichi Group is a restaurant operator specializing in Kobe beef, running approximately 50 establishments across Japan. The company is recognized as the world's largest buyer of certified Kobe beef, including champion-grade cattle, which it procures through whole-cattle purchasing to ensure quality and cost-effectiveness.

The company's origins trace back to 1998 when founder Kiyomi Akagi opened a small seasonal dish restaurant in Kobe. The pivot to specializing in Kobe beef was serendipitous, sparked by a media inquiry. When asked by a television producer if the restaurant served Kobe beef, Akagi, despite not offering it at the time, impulsively confirmed that they did. This led the restaurant to actually begin handling the product, which proved to be highly popular. Recognizing the potential, Akagi rebranded the establishment as a Kobe beef specialty restaurant, and in 2008, began expanding the 'Kisshokichi' brand.

The business model centers on operating a variety of restaurant formats—including steak, yakiniku, shabu-shabu, and even ramen—all focused on Kobe beef. This multi-format strategy, supported by a central processing facility, allows the group to utilize the entire animal, maximizing efficiency and enabling agile expansion. Beyond its restaurants in cities like Kobe and Osaka, the group also manages an online shop, a sweets business, and has expanded into franchising. Recently, private equity firm L Catterton acquired Kisshokichi to accelerate its growth and capitalize on the rising international demand for premium Japanese cuisine.

Keywords: Kobe beef, restaurant operator, Japanese cuisine, whole-cattle purchasing, fine dining, food service, meat procurement, hospitality, online retail, food franchising