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January 2026 Restaurant Sales Trends Report

Postas Co., Ltd., based in Chuo-ku, Tokyo, has released its latest report on restaurant sales trends using data from its cloud-based mobile POS, POS+. The findings for January 2026 show a sales growth rate of 101.1% compared to the previous year, although this represents a 1.4-point decrease from the previous month.

Monthly Sales Overview

January’s sales figures reflect a robust growth, yet there was a slight dip in the rate compared to December. The national average sales growth rate, in terms of area, decreased by 1.9 points to 100.7%. The Shikoku region stood out, achieving the highest growth rate at 106.3% compared to the previous year.

Breakdown of Cashless Payment Trends

The trend towards cashless payments continues to rise in Japan, with the national average cashless payment ratio reaching 54.3%, a 0.3-point increase from December. All industry segments reported a cashless payment ratio exceeding 40%. Notably, the takeaway sector saw a 15.6% ratio for cashless payments, indicating a growing consumer preference for technology in transactions.

Industry Insights

When categorized by type of cuisine and service, cashless payment rates showed significant differences. Sectors such as takeaway sales and ramen restaurants both recorded ratios exceeding 40%. The salad restaurants led the charge, with an astonishing 24.6% adoption of cashless payment methods.

Further trends observed indicate that electronic money usage is on the rise across almost all sectors compared to the previous month. Credit cards dominate as the most utilized cashless payment method, comprising 78.7% of all cashless transactions, while code payments follow at 15.4%.

Comparative Analysis of Payment Methods

Analyzing cashless payment preferences from December to January, it was noted that in all but the light meal sector, cashless transaction ratios experienced increases. In terms of distinct payment options, credit cards were notably favored among sushi and teppanyaki restaurants, both capturing over 90% of transactions. For ramen and salad outlets, the uptake of code payments surpassed 40%.

Regional Performance

The cashless transaction ratio in the Kanto region remains high at 62.6%, maintaining consistent levels from the previous reporting period. Food service categories outside of traditional meals also reported notable increases in cashless payment adoption, demonstrating a shifting consumer trend toward more digital payment options.

Future Prospects and Commitment

Postas is committed to actively communicating changes in the restaurant industry landscape and providing support strategies in line with its mission: “Creating the next step in hospitality together.” The company aims to leverage technology to enhance operational efficiency within restaurants, enabling staff to focus on delivering exceptional customer experiences.

As we move into February and beyond, Postas will continue to monitor and report on sales trends, ensuring stakeholders are equipped with the data necessary for informed decision-making in an ever-evolving market landscape.

For more details, visit Postas Co., Ltd..