KFC To Sell Up Japan Stake

[Mulboyne]

Forbes: Japan's Mitsubishi Corp to buy controlling stake in Kentucky Fried Chicken Japan
Mitsubishi Corp, Japan's largest trading house, said Wednesday it aims to gain control of Kentucky Fried Chicken Japan by lifting its stake to at least 62 percent from 31 percent. Kentucky Fried Chicken Corporate Holdings Ltd of the US has agreed to sell Mitsubishi its entire 31 percent stake in the Japanese arm of the fast food chain, Mitsubishi said. Mitsubishi is also offering to buy an unlimited number of Kentucky Fried Chicken Japan shares in the open market for 1,947 yen each between Nov 1 and Dec 7.

KFC Japan began as a joint venture between KFC and Mitsubishi so they have always had a major stake in the business. You can read about the early days in the eccentric memoirs of Loy Weston who was the first KFC representatives in Japan. Availabel online through the links in this thread.

[omae mona]

Forbes: Japan's Mitsubishi Corp to buy controlling stake in Kentucky Fried Chicken Japan
Mitsubishi Corp, Japan's largest trading house, said Wednesday it aims to gain control of Kentucky Fried Chicken Japan by lifting its stake to at least 62 percent from 31 percent. Kentucky Fried Chicken Corporate Holdings Ltd of the US has agreed to sell Mitsubishi its entire 31 percent stake in the Japanese arm of the fast food chain, Mitsubishi said. Mitsubishi is also offering to buy an unlimited number of Kentucky Fried Chicken Japan shares in the open market for 1,947 yen each between Nov 1 and Dec 7.

Ah, just in time for the December 24th revenues!

[Iraira]

I know it is the practice of many companies, world-wide, not just in Japan, to diversify. However, I associate Mitsubishi with heavy industry, not processed fried chicken (hopefully it is chicken and not rat). Still, Mitsubishi being in control of the colonel is some good trivia to know.

[Mulboyne]

...However, I associate Mitsubishi with heavy industry, not processed fried chicken...

That's still the main association for many when they hear the name. Iwasaki, the founder of the Mistubishi Empire, started off by procuring armaments, including ships, for his clan ahead of the clashes that brought on the Meiji restoration so the original Mitsubishi Heavy Industries was the starting point for the zaibatsu.

KFC was a joint venture with Mistubishi Shoji, the group's trading house. They have a large number of stakes in a whole range of businesses including the convenience store Lawson. Here's a list if you can be bothered.

[Doctor Stop]

Could this be the end of the Curse of the Colonel?

[IkemenTommy]

So are they now changing their name to MUFJKFC?

[Taro Toporific]

Forbes: Japan's Mitsubishi Corp to buy controlling stake in Kentucky Fried Chicken Japan

KFC Japan Press Release
Starting Feb. 7th, KFC Japan will be offering their Japaneseque version of the Double Down(tm): A bland ketchup rice patty between two fried chicken fillets instead of buns.

rice-sand-kfc-japan.jpg

kfc-menu.jpg

Details.

[Coligny]

KFC... even my cats looks down on this shit...

[matsuki]

I like their twisters but the tortillas taste like they're made of cardboard.

[Taro Toporific]

I like their twisters but the tortillas taste like they're made of cardboard.

KFC Japan also offers "pizza" at some of their outlets.

kfc-pizza.jpg

corn-pizza.jpg