Morinaga to Acquire US Mochi Ice Cream Brand My/Mochi

Japanese confectionery group Morinaga & Co., Ltd. has signed a definitive agreement to acquire My/Mochi Ice Cream, the largest mochi ice cream brand in the United States, expanding its presence in the frozen dessert category.

The acquisition brings together two brands with roots in Japanese confectionery and supports Morinaga’s broader growth strategy in the US market. The company recently announced plans to increase US production capacity for its HI-CHEW confectionery brand with the opening of a second factory scheduled for 2027.

According to Circana data (MULO + Convenience, 52 weeks to 2025), the US novelty ice cream market reached an estimated value of USD8.6bn in 2025, highlighting the category’s growth potential. Morinaga said the acquisition will allow it to enter the US frozen dessert market at scale while supporting its long-term business targets through 2030.

My/Mochi produces mochi ice cream – a product combining ice cream with a soft rice dough exterior – and traces its origins to Los Angeles in 1993. The brand has grown significantly in recent years and reported sales of around USD80m in the 52 weeks ending 25 January 2026, according to SPINS MULO data.

Morinaga said its experience in frozen confectionery formats – including ice cream bars, popsicles and chocolate-coated ice cream – will support future product development for the My/Mochi brand.

Following completion of the transaction, My/Mochi will remain headquartered in Los Angeles and continue to operate under the leadership of president and CEO Craig Berger.

The acquisition will complement Morinaga America’s existing product portfolio, which includes confectionery brands such as HI-CHEW, HI-SOFT and Chargel.