Japan’s most popular curry rice restaurant chain losing customers as it raises prices

Cocoichibanya, Japan’s largest curry rice restaurant chain, has seen a 5.2% drop in customers between September 2024 and February 2025 due to price hikes. The average cost of a meal has risen to 1,208 yen, exceeding the 1,000 yen tipping point for many consumers. Despite increased operating profits, the chain’s reputation for affordable meals may limit its success with a smaller, higher-spending clientele.

by SkyInJapan

16 comments
  1. I’m guessing the 1000 yen wall not only exists for Ramen but for curry rice as well.

  2. Increase in price by 20% vs drop in customers by 5% seems like a net win for the business

  3. Sorry, a few of those percentage drops were from me because I’ve been traveling recently

  4. The Indian curry chain ターリー屋 has gone up too, went from 1320 to 1485 for my regular butter chicken and cheese naan. It’s the currypocalypse 😔

  5. Noooooo! Not my CoCo’s!!! I’d pay for that curry with diamonds.

  6. I mean… duh? Raise prices = fewer customers is common sense.

    The question is how much does it actually matter in terms of overall profitability and sales volume

  7. Depending on where you are in Japan, there are so many better curry places than Coco. The non-chain shops that specialize in curry in particular are cheaper and often noticeably better.

    Shout out to Manten (まんてん) in Jimbocho. Their 700 yen is still the best around imo.

  8. Meanwhile In London. Cocos will set you back at least 4000 yen with service charge. Still delicious tho.

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