Morinaga America acquires My/Mochi Ice Cream

Morinaga & Co. Ltd. has acquired My/Mochi Ice Cream, marking a strategic expansion into the premium ice cream market. The deal, the financial specifics of which remain undisclosed, integrates the Japanese confectionery traditions of My/Mochi with Morinaga's existing portfolio. Known for its innovative take on traditional mochi, My/Mochi Ice Cream pairs creamy ice cream with a sweet rice dough wrapping, a combination that has resonated with consumers since its introduction in Los Angeles in 1993.

Morinaga, already planning to ramp up its U.S. presence with a second HI-CHEW production facility set for 2027, sees this acquisition as an opportunity to create a more sustainable snacking business grounded in both heritage and innovation. Teruhiro (Terry) Kawabe, Morinaga America's CEO, emphasized the synergies between the two brands, envisioning increased consumer engagement across the U.S. market.

From My/Mochi's perspective, joining forces with Morinaga & Co. offers a chance to leverage the global scale and research strengths of its new parent company. Craig Berger, My/Mochi's CEO, is optimistic about the potential to reach a wider consumer base and enhance product innovation. This aligns with My/Mochi's recent endeavors to diversify its product offerings, including new chocolate-style mochi products and ice cream sandwiches.

This acquisition comes as the demand for innovative frozen desserts continues to grow in the U.S., with consumers increasingly seeking unique textures and flavors. My/Mochi adds a distinctive element to Morinaga's expanding snacking portfolio, allowing it to compete more effectively against other players in the fiercely competitive ice cream market.

Moving forward, the successful integration of My/Mochi under Morinaga's corporate umbrella will be critical. The companies will aim to blend My/Mochi's unique product attributes with Morinaga's resources and market reach. The trajectory of this partnership will be closely watched, particularly for its impact on U.S. market dynamics and its influence on rival firms working to capture consumer attention in an evolving dairy landscape.