Morinaga Acquires My/Mochi to Enter U.S. Frozen Dessert Market at Scale

Morinaga & Co., Ltd. entered into a definitive agreement to acquire My/Mochi Ice Cream, the largest mochi ice cream brand in the United States, in a move the Japanese confectionery giant says will allow it to enter the U.S. frozen dessert market at full scale. Terms were not disclosed.

The deal, announced March 9, gives Morinaga a foothold in a segment that generated $8.6 billion in U.S. sales in 2025, according to Circana's MULO and convenience channel data. My/Mochi itself recorded approximately $80 million in sales for the 52-week period ending January 25, 2026, per SPINS MULO data, representing a meaningful slice of the novelty ice cream category.

My/Mochi, headquartered in Los Angeles, has built its brand around the multi-textural combination of premium ice cream wrapped in sweet, pillowy rice dough. The brand debuted in Los Angeles in 1993, rooted in Japanese confectionery tradition, and has grown into a line spanning more than 20 flavors including Strawberry, Mango, Cookies & Cream and Cookie Dough, alongside dairy-free options and sorbets. All products are soy-free, made with cream containing no rBST, free of artificial flavors and colors, and use non-GMO ingredients.

Teruhiro "Terry" Kawabe, Chief Representative for the USA and President & CEO of Morinaga America, Inc., framed the acquisition as a platform for long-term growth. "In welcoming My/Mochi to the Morinaga family, we see a tremendous opportunity to build a sustainable snacking business positioned for future growth," he said. "We will honor the heritage and innovation behind My/Mochi while combining the strengths of our brands to bring even more fun and excitement to consumers and customers across the U.S."

Craig Berger, who will remain President & CEO of My/Mochi after the deal closes, said the partnership unlocks capabilities that the brand could not easily develop independently. "We are thrilled to partner with Morinaga & Co., Ltd., a globally reputable company, whose scale and research and development capabilities will enhance our ability to innovate and grow," Berger said. "We're looking forward to reaching a broader group of consumers and driving meaningful impact together in the years to come." My/Mochi will also retain its Los Angeles headquarters.

The acquisition fits squarely within Morinaga's stated 2030 business goals and its accelerating push into the U.S. consumer market. The company, which distributes HI-CHEW, HI-SOFT and Chargel through its U.S. affiliate Morinaga America, Inc., previously announced plans to open a second U.S. HI-CHEW production facility in 2027. Adding a frozen dessert brand with established retail distribution extends that strategy into a distinct and rapidly growing category, one where Morinaga already holds product expertise in popsicles, ice cream bars and sandwich ice cream.

The strategic logic is straightforward: Morinaga brings global R&D firepower and manufacturing scale; My/Mochi brings brand recognition, a loyal consumer base and category leadership in a format that travels naturally across both Asian-American and mainstream retail channels. Together, the companies say they aim to accelerate innovation in the frozen snack category.

No closing date has been announced, and the companies have not disclosed regulatory timelines or detailed integration plans beyond confirming management and headquarters continuity.