Bringing Forward the Target of 30 Stores by June with the Highly Profitable 'Dual-wielding Restaurant' Strategy that Overturns Common Sense in the Food Service Industry

Garden Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President: Ken Kawashima; hereinafter "the Company"), which operates "Aburasoba Sohonten", will further accelerate its development as a composite hybrid store utilizing the store network of "Ichikakuya" and affiliated stores.

Following the steady start of the renewal opening of the first 3 stores for 3 consecutive days from Tuesday, April 28, we will bring forward our initial goal of introducing a 30-store system for "Aburasoba Sohonten" by the end of the year, aiming to achieve a 30-store system in just about one and a half months by June 2026.

The Company positions the deployment of composite hybrid stores, which add the products and signboards of "Aburasoba Sohonten" to "Ichikakuya", as the "Dual-wielding Restaurant" strategy, utilizing the location, facilities, and operation base of existing stores located near stations and in downtown areas. By utilizing the assets of existing stores, we will build a store model that keeps initial investments lower compared to opening new stores and easily contributes to short-term deployment and improved profitability.

About the "Dual-wielding Restaurant" Strategy

Our "Dual-wielding Restaurant" strategy is an initiative to create two brand touchpoints in one store by introducing "Aburasoba Sohonten" while utilizing the station-front/downtown location, kitchen facilities, personnel structure, and operational know-how of existing "Ichikakuya" stores located in prime locations near stations. By utilizing the fixed cost structure of existing stores, fixed costs such as rent and labor are absorbed within the "Ichikakuya" business format, so the sales of the newly introduced "Aburasoba Sohonten" create a structure where gross profit excluding raw materials becomes almost entirely operating profit.

This suppresses the large-scale initial investments and security deposits associated with opening new stores, while focusing on introducing signboards and products to existing stores, improving the speed of store expansion and investment efficiency, aiming for a 30-store system in just about one and a half months, centered around stations in the Tokyo metropolitan area.

About "Ichikakuya"

"Ichikakuya" operates under the slogan, "Once you eat it, it becomes a habit. Twice, you'll never forget it. Three times, you won't be able to stop," providing Yokohama Iekei Ramen that combines medium-thick noodles with a rich aroma and depth of wheat, and a rich, creamy, and mellow pork bone soup. To deliver our meticulously crafted Iekei Ramen to many customers, we are expanding Ichikakuya to over 100 stores nationwide across Japan.

* Website: https://ichikakuya.com/ * Store information: https://gardengroup.co.jp/brand/ichikakuya/

About "Aburasoba Sohonten"

"Aburasoba Sohonten" provides aburasoba that mixes medium-thick, smooth and chewy noodles reached through repeated research with a special, flavorful dashi-based sauce. Whether enjoying it standard or creating your own original bowl with abundant toppings and seasonings, you can enjoy your preferred deliciousness. Healthier than ramen. Yet, please enjoy our incredibly satisfying aburasoba.

About Garden Co., Ltd.

Under the mission of "providing a space where everyone involved with us can be happy, energetic, and smiling," we operate restaurant and real estate businesses. Since our founding, we have succeeded in the "corporate restructuring" and "business revitalization" of over 12 companies through M&A, leading to business expansion. In the restaurant business we entered in 2006, we operate a total of 12 brands of various restaurant formats, including "Ichikakuya", "Yamashita Honki Udon", "Manbaken", and "Takadaya". Leveraging synergies with our real estate business, we aim to continue expanding the number of stores for our core brands with a "prime location strategy" of opening stores near stations.

Company Name: Garden Co., Ltd. Securities Code: TSE Standard Market 274A Established: December 2015 Capital: 2,391 million yen *As of the end of February 2026 Number of Employees: Regular employees: 289, Part-time employees: 3,594 *As of the end of February 2026 Number of Stores: 211 stores (including 34 FC stores) *As of April 28, 2026

Inquiries regarding this matter

Garden Co., Ltd. "Ichikakuya" Inquiry Desk URL: https://gardengroup.co.jp/brand/ichikakuya/contact/ Garden Co., Ltd. "Aburasoba Sohonten" Inquiry Desk URL: https://gardengroup.co.jp/brand/darumanome/contact/