Business Partnership Formed to Solve Talent Issues in the F&B Industry

First Canvas Co., Ltd. and Mood Inc. announced today that they have signed a business partnership agreement aimed at solving the severe labor shortage and recruitment retention issues facing the food and beverage (F&B) industry.

From May 2026, the two companies will begin offering a joint service combining 'recruitment branding' and 'internal community strengthening.' The service will initially target F&B companies in the Tokyo metropolitan area, with plans for a nationwide rollout.

## Background of the Partnership

### Effective Suspension of Foreign Talent Acceptance
For years, the F&B industry has compensated for labor shortages by accepting foreign talent under the Specified Skilled Worker (i) program. However, as of April 13, 2026, the issuance of Certificates of Eligibility for residence has been halted, further narrowing options for securing talent.

### Structural Cycle of Recruitment and Retention Exhaustion
Average annual income for full-time employees in the accommodation and F&B industry is among the lowest across all industries. The structure where 'half of new hires quit within three years' continues to create an exhausting cycle of recruitment costs.

### An Era Where the Job Page Itself is the Brand
As chains expanding across multiple areas increase, job seekers often find it difficult to identify the parent company. For F&B firms unable to invest heavily in corporate websites, branding the job page itself is the most practical and optimal strategy.

## The Core of the Partnership: 'Attracting from Outside' x 'Nurturing from Within'

First Canvas specializes in recruitment branding, while Mood possesses the ability to 'create the atmosphere of a place' through event planning and video production. Combining their strengths realizes an end-to-end support system from recruitment to retention.

## Future Outlook

Starting in May 2026, the joint service will be offered to F&B companies in the Tokyo area. In addition to expanding the integrated package nationwide, the companies plan to actively conduct seminars and disseminate information regarding the improvement of labor environments in the F&B industry.