For the Third Consecutive Year! Calbee Hosts Fan Meeting at a Potato Field in Gifu Prefecture – 3rd Event of the 2026 Calbee 'Fan With! Project'

Calbee Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Makoto Ehara) is pleased to announce the hosting of a fan meeting as part of its Calbee 'Fan With! Project,' designed to engage directly with loyal Calbee fans. The third event of the 2026 fiscal year was held on Saturday, June 13, at a potato field in Kaizu City, Gifu Prefecture, welcoming around 50 fans for a hands-on potato harvesting experience.

[Background of the Initiative]

Since its founding in 1949, Calbee has launched numerous beloved products such as 'Kappa Ebisen,' 'Potato Chips,' 'Furugura®,' and 'Jagariko.' To strengthen direct connections with fans who support these products, Calbee launched its first nationwide fan engagement initiative, the 'Fan With! Project,' in 2024. The project expanded to 17 locations across Japan, attracting widespread participation. In fiscal 2025, Calbee introduced collaborative fan meetings with its subsidiary 'Calbee Potato' and external partners. On March 21, 2026, the company held its first overseas fan meeting in Hong Kong. To date, over 1,000 fans and approximately 700 employees have interacted through this initiative.

In the 2025 fiscal year, post-event surveys showed an average satisfaction rating of 4.94 out of 5 points. Additionally, participants’ average spending on Calbee products increased to 153%※1 compared to pre-event levels, indicating heightened consumer engagement. Moreover, employees from departments such as manufacturing and sales—typically with limited customer interaction—reported high motivation levels, averaging 4.8 out of 5 points, after engaging directly with fans.

Building on the success of 2025, Calbee has confirmed the continuation of the 'Fan With! Project' for fiscal 2026. Approximately 14 events are planned, including fan meetings centered on the 'Calbee Potato Chips' series, held at factories, branch offices, group companies, and potato fields across Japan. The Gifu event marks the third such gathering of the 2026 fiscal year.

※1: Survey conducted via the smartphone app 'Calbee Rubee Program'; all Calbee products included in analysis

[Fan Meeting Held at a Field in Kaizu, Gifu Prefecture]

The third event of the 2026 Calbee 'Fan With! Project' took place on June 13 at a potato field in Kaizu City, Gifu Prefecture, where participants experienced harvesting potatoes firsthand. The event has received overwhelming applications annually, marking the third consecutive year that the fan meeting has been held in Gifu Prefecture. After an orientation session and a commemorative group photo holding original towels, attendees enthusiastically dug up potatoes under clear blue skies. To deepen fans’ understanding of Calbee, an original quiz contest featuring product tastings was held at the Kakamigahara Factory in Gifu Prefecture, where many Calbee products are manufactured. Around 50 fans thoroughly enjoyed the event.

~Highlights from the Day~

[How to Apply for the Fan Meeting]

Applications are accepted exclusively through the 'Calbee Rubee Program.' By folding empty snack bags of eligible Calbee products into a specific shape and scanning them via the app, participants earn Rubee points. One entry into the lottery is granted for every 500 Rubee points accumulated. Winners may bring up to five people per entry. During the campaign period, individuals may apply multiple times.

Dedicated website: https://www.calbee.co.jp/lbeeprogram/fanmeeting/

*Event capacity is limited. Program details vary by event.