#USA #Irvine #HI-CHEW #Morinaga America #My/Mochi Ice Cream

Morinaga & Co., Ltd. Joins Forces with My/Mochi Ice Cream

In a strategic move reflective of its ambition to solidify its standing in the growing frozen snack sector, Morinaga & Co., Ltd., the parent company of Morinaga America, Inc., has finalized an acquisition of My/Mochi Ice Cream, the foremost mochi ice cream brand in the United States. The announcement signals the union of two renowned brands that share a deep-rooted tradition in confectionery and a commitment to innovation.

This acquisition is an integral part of Morinaga’s long-term growth strategy, particularly as it sets its sights on the U.S. market, a priority for the company. By integrating My/Mochi into its portfolio, Morinaga aims to explore and expand its footprint in the lucrative U.S. frozen dessert market, which, according to recent data from Circana’s MULO + Conv reports, has shown consistent growth and reached an approximate total of $8.6 billion in sales in 2025.

My/Mochi Ice Cream, famous for melding rich, creamy ice cream with soft rice dough, has captivated taste buds since its introduction in Los Angeles in 1993. This exquisite fusion of flavors and textures retains its roots in Japanese confectionery traditions while transforming the snacking experience into something contemporary and playful. As reported by SPINS MULO data, My/Mochi achieved impressive sales figures of $80 million for the 52-week period ending January 2026, reaffirming its dominance in the mochi ice cream category.

As Teruhiro Kawabe, the Chief Representative for the USA and President & CEO of Morinaga America, Inc., remarked, "Bringing My/Mochi into the Morinaga family signifies an outstanding opportunity to create a sustainable snacking business positioned for future success. We plan to honor the innovative heritage of My/Mochi while enhancing the customer experience across the U.S. by combining our respective brand strengths."

With a robust history in flavor innovation and expertise in frozen confections spanning popsicles, ice cream bars, and more, Morinaga is poised to leverage its capabilities to amplify My/Mochi’s product development and market reach. The synergy created by this merger is expected to forge new pathways for brand enhancement in marketing and distribution.

Craig Berger, President & CEO of My/Mochi, echoed the sentiment of excitement regarding the acquisition. "Partnering with Morinaga Co., Ltd., a company renowned for its extensive scale and research development expertise, will bolster our capacity for innovation and growth. Together, we aspire to significantly expand our consumer base and create meaningful impacts in this sector."

As the United States remains one of the fastest-growing markets for frozen snacks, the future looks bright for the combined efforts of Morinaga and My/Mochi. Following the completion of the acquisition, My/Mochi will operate from its headquarters in Los Angeles, continuing under the guidance of Craig Berger while benefiting from the infrastructure and expertise offered by Morinaga.

Overall, this acquisition fits seamlessly into Morinaga's mission to spread joy through its confections to customers globally. With the existing brand recognition of HI-CHEW and the addition of My/Mochi, Morinaga is well on its way to enhancing its ability to serve a diverse array of consumers nationwide, reinforcing its long-standing legacy in the confectionery market.

About Morinaga America, Inc.

Morinaga America, Inc. was founded in 2008 and now serves as the official distributor of HI-CHEW®, HI-SOFT™, and Chargel™ in the U.S. It operates as a subsidiary of Morinaga Co., Ltd., establishing a presence in the market with its manufacturing facility in North Carolina that began operations in 2015. HI-CHEW® has been a hallmark of Morinaga’s offerings, known for its extensive variety of flavors and chewy texture that continue to resonate with consumers across the U.S.

About My/Mochi

My/Mochi is recognized as the inaugural mochi ice cream company, established in Los Angeles in the 1990s. Uniting the expertise of a Japanese baker and an American entrepreneur, My/Mochi proudly stands as a leader in the mochi ice cream arena, delivering a variety of flavors and innovative products that uphold its commitment to quality and authentic ingredients. To discover more about their delicious offerings, visit My/Mochi.