Overview
## 1. Report Overview
This report is the "National 'Ramen Shop' Market Trends Survey (FY2024)" published by Teikoku Databank on July 1, 2025. It comprehensively surveys and analyzes market size, store number trends, business performance, and bankruptcy status for companies operating ramen businesses nationwide, including chain stores, local specialty ramen shops, and Chinese restaurants centered on ramen. The survey data is based on Teikoku Databank's corporate profile files (COSMOS2, containing approximately 1.49 million companies) and corporate credit investigation reports (CCR, containing approximately 2 million companies) as of June 2025, along with external information, and includes some estimates and projections.
## 2. Key Points
The ramen shop market in FY2024 reached 790 billion yen, recording a significant expansion of 1.6 times from 10 years ago. This represents the highest market size since FY2010 when data collection became possible. The number of stores operated by the top 50 companies reached approximately 6,200, exceeding 6,000 for the first time. The main drivers of market expansion are aggressive new store openings by chains specializing in "Iekei ramen" (house-style ramen) and "rich tonkotsu ramen." Companies reporting increased revenue reached 44.7%, while those with increased profits reached 55.0%, with the proportion of profit-increasing companies recording the highest level since FY2010. Meanwhile, bankruptcies decreased to 62 cases from 72 in the previous fiscal year, marking the first decline in three years.
## 3. Market Size Trends and Growth Factors
The ramen shop market grew by 56% from 506.6 billion yen in FY2014 to 790 billion yen in FY2024. Several factors underlie this rapid growth. First, the international recognition of Japanese-style ramen has increased, leading to a significant rise in demand from tourists from Asian regions such as South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Second, major chain stores have pursued aggressive new store opening strategies, with some companies achieving a 50% increase in store numbers over five years. Third, in the recovery phase from the COVID-19 pandemic, customer traffic to ramen shops has returned along with the recovery in dining-out demand. These factors combined have led to substantial market expansion.
## 4. Analysis by Business Type and Region
By business type, chains specializing in "Iekei ramen" and "rich tonkotsu ramen" showed particularly notable growth. These business types are accelerating nationwide expansion through unique flavors and high reproducibility. The number of major chain stores among the top 50 companies increased by approximately 1,200 stores from 5,043 ten years ago to about 6,200 at the end of FY2024. By region, store numbers are increasing primarily in urban areas, while store openings in tourist destinations and transportation hubs are also becoming more active. Particularly in areas with many foreign tourists, demand for Japanese-style ramen is high, leading to corresponding store opening strategies.
## 5. Competitive Environment and Market Structure
Competition in the ramen shop market is intensifying. The market share of the top 3 companies accounts for approximately 25% of total business sales (as of FY2023), indicating relatively low market concentration. This suggests significant room for market share expansion. A recent characteristic is the increasing number of dining chains outside the ramen business entering the ramen market. While existing ramen chains strengthen their store opening offensive both domestically and internationally, major dining companies in non-noodle categories are also seeking business expansion through market entry. As a result, overall market competition has become even more intense.
## 6. Price Trends and Profitability Analysis
The operating environment for ramen shops is becoming increasingly challenging due to rising raw material prices. According to the "Ramen Cost Index (Tonkotsu Base, Tokyo Metropolitan Area)" calculated by Teikoku Databank, with the FY2020 average as 100, the FY2024 average reached 129, representing approximately a 30% increase over five years. Prices have risen significantly across a wide range of raw materials from soup to ingredients, including pork, back fat, noodles, seaweed, and bamboo shoots. Additionally, rising labor and utility costs are also pressuring operations. However, the "1,000 yen per bowl barrier" creates price resistance, making significant price increases difficult. Therefore, strategies to increase average customer spending through developing limited-time menus priced above 1,000 yen and expanding set menus are spreading.
## 7. New Entries and Bankruptcy Trends
Ramen shop bankruptcies in FY2024 totaled 62 cases, down from the record high of 72 cases in the previous fiscal year. Through May of FY2025, 12 cases have occurred, but overall, the elimination process is proceeding at a moderate level. Most bankrupt companies are small and medium-sized or individual shops, with many cases failing due to inability to keep pace with price pass-through for rising raw material and labor costs. Meanwhile, new entries show active movement from existing dining chains entering the ramen business. These companies are attempting market entry by leveraging their existing store operation know-how and financial strength, bringing changes to the market's competitive structure.
## 8. Changes in Consumer Trends
Significant changes are observed in consumer preferences and behavior patterns regarding ramen. First, demand from foreign tourists, particularly from Asian regions, has surged, making Japanese-style ramen an important tourism content. Second, acceptance of higher-priced products is increasing, with growing demand for limited-time menus and premium ramen priced above 1,000 yen. Third, demand for customization such as set menus and additional toppings is rising. These changes have evolved ramen shops from mere meal providers to venues offering experiential value. Consumers now value not only taste but also store atmosphere, service, and uniqueness.
## 9. Future Challenges and Opportunities
The ramen shop industry faces multiple challenges and opportunities. Challenges include persistently high raw material prices, rising labor costs due to worker shortages, and increased energy costs. Particularly for small and medium-sized or individual shops, responding to these cost increases is difficult as they cannot leverage economies of scale. Opportunities include demand expansion from increasing foreign tourists, possibilities for overseas expansion, and differentiation through new business format development. Profitability polarization between major chains and small/individual shops is progressing, increasing the importance of efficient operations and cost management. Additionally, utilizing digital technology for operational efficiency and improving customer experience has become an important challenge.
## 10. Conclusion and Future Prospects
The ramen shop market in FY2024 reached a record high of 790 billion yen and is expected to continue growing as a promising market. Growth is driven by aggressive store opening strategies by major chains, expanding demand from foreign tourists, and an increase in new entrants. On the other hand, the operating environment is becoming increasingly challenging for small and medium-sized or individual shops due to cost increases from rising raw material prices and labor costs. Going forward, efficient store operations, differentiated product development, and utilization of digital technology will become sources of competitiveness. With relatively low market concentration, the possibility of M&A and industry reorganization is high, and market structure changes are expected to continue beyond FY2025. The ramen shop market is expected to achieve further growth both domestically and internationally as an industry representing Japanese food culture.
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This summary was automatically generated by AI. Please refer to the original article for accuracy.
1. Report Overview
This report is the "National 'Ramen Shop' Market Trends Survey (FY2024)" published by Teikoku Databank on July 1, 2025. It comprehensively surveys and analyzes market size, store number trends, business performance, and bankruptcy status for companies operating ramen businesses nationwide, including chain stores, local specialty ramen shops, and Chinese restaurants centered on ramen. The survey data is based on Teikoku Databank's corporate profile files (COSMOS2, containing approximately 1.49 million companies) and corporate credit investigation reports (CCR, containing approximately 2 million companies) as of June 2025, along with external information, and includes some estimates and projections.
2. Key Points
The ramen shop market in FY2024 reached 790 billion yen, recording a significant expansion of 1.6 times from 10 years ago. This represents the highest market size since FY2010 when data collection became possible. The number of stores operated by the top 50 companies reached approximately 6,200, exceeding 6,000 for the first time. The main drivers of market expansion are aggressive new store openings by chains specializing in "Iekei ramen" (house-style ramen) and "rich tonkotsu ramen." Companies reporting increased revenue reached 44.7%, while those with increased profits reached 55.0%, with the proportion of profit-increasing companies recording the highest level since FY2010. Meanwhile, bankruptcies decreased to 62 cases from 72 in the previous fiscal year, marking the first decline in three years.
3. Market Size Trends and Growth Factors
The ramen shop market grew by 56% from 506.6 billion yen in FY2014 to 790 billion yen in FY2024. Several factors underlie this rapid growth. First, the international recognition of Japanese-style ramen has increased, leading to a significant rise in demand from tourists from Asian regions such as South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Second, major chain stores have pursued aggressive new store opening strategies, with some companies achieving a 50% increase in store numbers over five years. Third, in the recovery phase from the COVID-19 pandemic, customer traffic to ramen shops has returned along with the recovery in dining-out demand. These factors combined have led to substantial market expansion.
4. Analysis by Business Type and Region
By business type, chains specializing in "Iekei ramen" and "rich tonkotsu ramen" showed particularly notable growth. These business types are accelerating nationwide expansion through unique flavors and high reproducibility. The number of major chain stores among the top 50 companies increased by approximately 1,200 stores from 5,043 ten years ago to about 6,200 at the end of FY2024. By region, store numbers are increasing primarily in urban areas, while store openings in tourist destinations and transportation hubs are also becoming more active. Particularly in areas with many foreign tourists, demand for Japanese-style ramen is high, leading to corresponding store opening strategies.
5. Competitive Environment and Market Structure
Competition in the ramen shop market is intensifying. The market share of the top 3 companies accounts for approximately 25% of total business sales (as of FY2023), indicating relatively low market concentration. This suggests significant room for market share expansion. A recent characteristic is the increasing number of dining chains outside the ramen business entering the ramen market. While existing ramen chains strengthen their store opening offensive both domestically and internationally, major dining companies in non-noodle categories are also seeking business expansion through market entry. As a result, overall market competition has become even more intense.
6. Price Trends and Profitability Analysis
The operating environment for ramen shops is becoming increasingly challenging due to rising raw material prices. According to the "Ramen Cost Index (Tonkotsu Base, Tokyo Metropolitan Area)" calculated by Teikoku Databank, with the FY2020 average as 100, the FY2024 average reached 129, representing approximately a 30% increase over five years. Prices have risen significantly across a wide range of raw materials from soup to ingredients, including pork, back fat, noodles, seaweed, and bamboo shoots. Additionally, rising labor and utility costs are also pressuring operations. However, the "1,000 yen per bowl barrier" creates price resistance, making significant price increases difficult. Therefore, strategies to increase average customer spending through developing limited-time menus priced above 1,000 yen and expanding set menus are spreading.
7. New Entries and Bankruptcy Trends
Ramen shop bankruptcies in FY2024 totaled 62 cases, down from the record high of 72 cases in the previous fiscal year. Through May of FY2025, 12 cases have occurred, but overall, the elimination process is proceeding at a moderate level. Most bankrupt companies are small and medium-sized or individual shops, with many cases failing due to inability to keep pace with price pass-through for rising raw material and labor costs. Meanwhile, new entries show active movement from existing dining chains entering the ramen business. These companies are attempting market entry by leveraging their existing store operation know-how and financial strength, bringing changes to the market's competitive structure.
8. Changes in Consumer Trends
Significant changes are observed in consumer preferences and behavior patterns regarding ramen. First, demand from foreign tourists, particularly from Asian regions, has surged, making Japanese-style ramen an important tourism content. Second, acceptance of higher-priced products is increasing, with growing demand for limited-time menus and premium ramen priced above 1,000 yen. Third, demand for customization such as set menus and additional toppings is rising. These changes have evolved ramen shops from mere meal providers to venues offering experiential value. Consumers now value not only taste but also store atmosphere, service, and uniqueness.
9. Future Challenges and Opportunities
The ramen shop industry faces multiple challenges and opportunities. Challenges include persistently high raw material prices, rising labor costs due to worker shortages, and increased energy costs. Particularly for small and medium-sized or individual shops, responding to these cost increases is difficult as they cannot leverage economies of scale. Opportunities include demand expansion from increasing foreign tourists, possibilities for overseas expansion, and differentiation through new business format development. Profitability polarization between major chains and small/individual shops is progressing, increasing the importance of efficient operations and cost management. Additionally, utilizing digital technology for operational efficiency and improving customer experience has become an important challenge.
10. Conclusion and Future Prospects
The ramen shop market in FY2024 reached a record high of 790 billion yen and is expected to continue growing as a promising market. Growth is driven by aggressive store opening strategies by major chains, expanding demand from foreign tourists, and an increase in new entrants. On the other hand, the operating environment is becoming increasingly challenging for small and medium-sized or individual shops due to cost increases from rising raw material prices and labor costs. Going forward, efficient store operations, differentiated product development, and utilization of digital technology will become sources of competitiveness. With relatively low market concentration, the possibility of M&A and industry reorganization is high, and market structure changes are expected to continue beyond FY2025. The ramen shop market is expected to achieve further growth both domestically and internationally as an industry representing Japanese food culture.
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