Itoen Food Service Sets New Standards for Franchise Operations and Food Safety Management

Itoen Food Service Enhances Operations Through Digital Solutions

Itoen Food Service, a subsidiary of the Itoen Group, is poised to revolutionize its franchise operations and food safety management by employing digital solutions provided by Infomart. This initiative marks a significant step for the company that operates 83 retail and dining locations across Japan, known for its safe and high-quality products made from carefully selected ingredients.

Background of the Initiative

Having launched operations for its tea house, Chasaku Itoen, in March 2026, Itoen Food Service aims to maintain the same level of quality and safety across all locations, regardless of who operates them. Previously, the company faced challenges with hygiene management (HACCP) due to various platforms being used for different tasks; for instance, hygiene protocols were digitalized, but manual processes persisted for operational guidelines and allergy information, leading to dependence on specific personnel. As a result, creating a unified standard was difficult due to slight operational differences across stores.

To mitigate these challenges, Itoen decided to implement three key digital services—V-Manage, BtoB Platform Specifications, and Menu Plus—simultaneously across its 24 locations, including Chasaku Itoen. This strategic move is essential for achieving standardized operations and enhanced food safety management.

Training for Staff

As part of the deployment, an explanatory meeting for about 70 employees from Chasaku Itoen took place in January 2026 in Tokyo and Osaka. This session involved live demonstrations to share specific operational methods and the advantages of using these new systems, ensuring smooth integration into everyday practices and bolstering store operations.

Expected Outcomes from the Implementation

1. Standardized Operations for All Employees
The introduction of V-Manage aims to consolidate hygiene management, tasks, and manuals, creating a shared operational framework that specifies the timeline and methods for all stores. By eliminating unique rules from individual store managers and enabling real-time feedback through photo-verified reports, the headquarters will gain immediate insights into adherence to protocols. Additionally, training materials for new staff will be accessible within V-Manage, supporting a more independent workforce with an eye toward potential store operations by part-time employees.

2. Standardization of Management
V-Manage's 'on-site function,' launching in April 2026, will provide district managers with standardized procedures for store visits. Uniform verification criteria during these visits will empower less experienced staff to manage all stores at a consistent standard, leading to early detection of issues and improvements in operational quality.

3. Reliable Allergy Information for Enhanced Food Safety
By digitizing product specifications that were previously collected in various formats, including PDFs or paper, the BtoB Platform Specifications will allow for unified management and emergency responses to customer inquiries. Furthermore, Menu Plus will manage recipes and cooking processes digitally, ensuring real-time cost tracking by linking with the existing BtoB platform for orders.

Comments from Itoen Food Service Representatives

A spokesperson from Itoen Food Service expressed optimism about the integration of Infomart's services, aiming to elevate the quality of store operations, improve hygiene and recipe management, and streamline information sharing. Through digitalization of workflows and integrated task management, the company seeks to minimize variances across teams and stores, maintaining high operational standards. This foundation will support their ongoing mission to highlight the appeal of Japanese matcha globally while providing a serene ambiance for customers.

Overview of Services

V-Manage

V-Manage is a comprehensive service designed to address operational challenges in food service establishments, visualizing every aspect from opening to closing. It allows small to mid-sized restaurants to leverage management resources typically reserved for larger chains, enhancing productivity amid a projected decrease in the labor force.
Learn more.

BtoB Platform Specifications

BtoB Platform Specifications digitizes product specification information, enabling comprehensive management between suppliers and restaurants, maximizing efficiency through standardized formatting. This essential tool aids the food industry in maintaining safety and security.
Learn more.

Menu Plus

Menu Plus facilitates the entire spectrum of menu recipe management and sharing through a user-friendly digital interface, drastically reducing time and effort in meal preparation while providing insight into food costs.
Learn more.