UCC Coffee Professional

What UCC Coffee Professional does

UCC Coffee Professional Co., Ltd. (UCCコーヒープロフェッショナル株式会社) is a Tokyo-based B2B "Total Coffee Solution" distributor and a wholly owned subsidiary of the UCC Group, headed by UCC Ueshima Coffee Co., Ltd. The company supplies professional-grade coffee, food ingredients, and coffee machines to approximately 100,000 restaurants, cafes, kissaten (Japanese coffee shops), hotels, and other food service establishments across Japan, supported by approximately 90 sales offices nationwide. Its portfolio spans over 60,000 SKUs organized across three core categories (coffee, food/ingredients, coffee machines) and multiple private-label brands including Bellliebe (pastries/cakes), Royal Chef (prepared foods), Greenfield (juice and beverages), Diano (Italian frozen foods), 贅たくさん (premium prepared foods), and original supplies such as Emboss Cup Paper. Coffee-brand offerings include Largo (with an Accompanying Partners certified-store program and coffee cocktail recipes) and CAFITESSE.

The business model is B2B goods distribution with services layered on top. Revenue is generated through one-time sales of coffee, food ingredients, and hardware (coffee machines and support services) under quote-based pricing negotiated individually with each food service customer. Distribution runs primarily through direct field-sales representatives at the approximately 90 sales offices, augmented by the FOODS FRIDGE B2B e-commerce platform and the Smile Magazine content site. Adjacent service revenue and ecosystem lock-in are generated through the UCC Cafe Startup cafe-opening consulting program, the UCC Coffee Academy training service, the Cafe Owners Club membership community, and the annual UCC Smile Festa exhibition event. Customer segments are primarily SMB food service operators (kissaten, cafes, creperies, donut shops) with enterprise accounts in the hotel segment (e.g., 株式会社三交イン). Sustainably-focused investments include renewable-energy procurement across 19 branch offices in the Hokuriku, Chugoku, and Shikoku regions as of November 2024, and operational waste reduction at the UCC Smile Festa 2025 event to one-sixth of 2022 levels.

Name

UCC Coffee Professional

Legal name

UCC Coffee Professional Co., Ltd.

Website

https://ucccoffeeprofessional.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

UCC Coffee Professional is a Tokyo-based B2B distributor and wholly owned UCC Group subsidiary that supplies coffee, food ingredients, and coffee machines through approximately 90 sales offices to roughly 100,000 Japanese food service establishments, supported by private-label brands, the FOODS FRIDGE e-commerce platform, and cafe-startup consulting and training services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Coffee and Foodservice Distribution

NAICS

Coffee and Tea Manufacturing (31192), Coffee and Tea Manufacturing (311920)

SIC

Beverages (2080)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialty Coffee & Tea Retail (Beans, Leaves, Accessories) (CRAHAGAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cafe-Bakeries (Coffee + Pastry Focus) (THAFADAG), Coffee Shops, Cafés & Beverage Programs (EDALADAG)

Keywords

• Commercial coffee wholesale
• B2B coffee solutions
• Foodservice distribution
• Professional coffee equipment
• Cafe consulting services

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. B2B Coffee Product Sales: Sale of professional coffee products to restaurants, cafes, hotels and other food service businesses. Products include various coffee beans, grounds, and coffee-based beverages for commercial use.
2. Food Ingredients Sales: Sale of prepared food ingredients including pastries, sauces, and prepared meals under private brands such as Bellliebe, Royal chef, and others for food service businesses.
3. Coffee Machine Sales and Support: Sale and support of professional coffee machines and equipment to food service establishments.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

UCC Coffee Professional is a B2B total coffee solution provider supplying professional-grade coffee products, food ingredients, and coffee machines to approximately 100,000 restaurants, cafes, kissaten, and hotels across Japan. The company operates roughly 90 sales offices nationwide and offers over 60,000 product items through direct field sales and its FOODS FRIDGE B2B e-commerce platform. It supplements product distribution with cafe opening consulting (UCC Cafe Startup), coffee education (UCC Coffee Academy), and a community platform (Cafe Owners Club).

Product overview

UCC Coffee Professional is a B2B total coffee solution provider offering professional coffee, food ingredients, and coffee machines to approximately 100,000 food service establishments across Japan. The company operates approximately 90 sales offices nationwide and offers over 60,000 product items. Its product portfolio centers on three core categories—coffee, food/ingredients, and coffee machines—supplemented by multiple private label brands including Bellliebe (pastries/cakes), Royal chef (prepared foods), Greenfield (beverages), and Diano (Italian foods). The company also operates FOODS FRIDGE, a B2B e-commerce platform, and provides cafe opening consultation services through UCC Cafe Startup, professional education via UCC Coffee Academy, and community engagement through Cafe Owners Club and the Smile Magazine content platform. Key coffee brands include Largo, CAFITESSE, and PROMESSO.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Largo: Coffee brand featured on the website with dedicated content sections
• CAFITESSE
• Bellliebe (ベルリーベ)
• Royal Chef (ロイヤルシェフ)
• Greenfield (グリーンフィールド)
• Diano (ディアーノ)
• 赘たくさん
• FOODS FRIDGE
• UCC Coffee Academy

Products and services

• Coffee Products Professional-grade coffee beans, grounds, and coffee-based beverages supplied to cafes, restaurants, hotels, and other food service businesses in Japan.
• Food Ingredients Food ingredients for professional kitchen use, including pastries, sauces, juices, frozen pasta, pizza, and prepared meals under private brands such as Bellliebe, Royal Chef, Greenfield, Diano, and Zeitakusan. Over 60,000 SKUs available.
• Coffee Machines Professional coffee machines and equipment supplied to commercial food service operations, with support provided through related group company LUCKY COFFEE MACHINE.
• Largo Coffee Brand Premium craft coffee brand featuring specialty coffee experiences, an Accompanying Partners retail certification program, and coffee cocktail recipes targeted at food service operators and hospitality venues.
• CAFITESSE Coffee Brand Coffee brand offered through UCC Coffee Professional's product lineup for commercial food service customers.
• Bellliebe Private Brand Private brand line of pastries, cakes, breads, and desserts including seasonal cakes, mini muffins, Basque cheese cakes, eclairs, and other baked goods for food service operators.
• Royal Chef Private Brand Private brand line of prepared foods including roast pork, curry sauces, fried items, and premium cuts such as thick-cut pork fillet katsu for professional kitchens.
• Greenfield Private Brand Private brand line of fruit juices, tea beverages, and smoothie products for food service operators.
• Diano Private Brand Private brand line of Italian-style food products including frozen pasta and baked pizza items for commercial kitchens.
• Emboss Cup Paper Original double-wall embossed paper cups designed for cafes and food service operators, providing insulation and durability, sold in S/M/L sizes with compatible paper lids.
• FOODS FRIDGE E-commerce Platform B2B e-commerce platform operated by UCC Coffee Professional that lets food service businesses purchase UCC's private brand products and items from various domestic manufacturers online.
• UCC Cafe Startup Consultation Comprehensive cafe opening consultation service offering end-to-end support from planning to launch, including store management know-how, location and channel analysis, property and store construction, business planning and fundraising, product planning and personnel training, and promotional support.
• UCC Coffee Academy Professional coffee education program offering courses from beginner to advanced levels, training baristas and coffee professionals for the food service industry.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves approximately 100,000 food service establishments across Japan
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• 出前館 (Demae-can)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 July 2021Partner in UCC Cafe Startup online seminar program. Demae-can provides expertise on delivery business models and strategies for food service businesses looking to expand into delivery services.
• マクアケ (Makuake)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 March 2021Partner in UCC Cafe Startup online seminar program. Makuake provides insights on crowdfunding-based store promotion and marketing strategies for new cafe openings.
• UCC上島珈琲株式会社 (UCC Ueshima Coffee)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent company and core strategic partner within the UCC Group. UCC Ueshima Coffee is the parent company providing brand heritage, coffee expertise, and strategic direction for the professional coffee solutions business.
• FOODS FRIDGE (フーズフリッジ)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUCC Group's B2B ingredients e-commerce platform operated by UCC Coffee Professional. The platform distributes not only UCC's original private brand products but also products from various domestic manufacturers to food service businesses.
• LUCKY COFFEE MACHINEcoreTechnology or IntegrationRelated company providing professional coffee machine equipment and support services, complementing UCC Coffee Professional's coffee and food product offerings.
• カフェオーナーズクラブ (Cafe Owners Club)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorA club/platform for cafe owners providing resources, networking opportunities, and event access for food service entrepreneurs within the UCC ecosystem.
• UCC Smile FestaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUCC Group's annual exhibition event showcasing products, connecting customers, and demonstrating sustainability initiatives to food service professionals.
• UCC Coffee AcademyminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerUCC Group's professional coffee education initiative offering courses from beginner to advanced levels, training coffee professionals for the food service industry.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Lavazza Professional: International B2B coffee platform offering coffee capsules, beans, and machines to offices and foodservice globally; a comparable "Professional" coffee brand and distribution model to UCC Coffee Professional, though with a smaller Japan footprint.

Direct peers

• Marubeni Foods: Foodservice distribution and trading arm of Marubeni Group, supplying imported and domestic food ingredients, coffee, and beverages to B2B foodservice customers in Japan.
• Key Coffee Inc. Japanese coffee roaster with a long history of supplying coffee beans, grounds, and packaged coffee to restaurants, hotels, and retail across Japan through a B2B foodservice motion similar to UCC Coffee Professional.
• Nestlé Professional Japan: Nestlé's global B2B coffee and beverage arm operating in Japan; offers Nespresso Professional and foodservice coffee/culinary solutions directly comparable to UCC Coffee Professional's machine-plus-bean model.
• AGF (Ajinomoto AGF): Ajinomoto's coffee brand arm producing and selling B2B and retail coffee products in Japan; directly comparable as a Japanese coffee manufacturer/distributor targeting foodservice and retail customers.
• Pokka Create (Pokka): Japanese B2B beverage and foodservice operator selling coffee, tea, juices, and prepared food ingredients to restaurants, cafes, and convenience-store channels across Japan.
• Mitsui Foods: Japanese foodservice distribution major supplying processed foods, beverages, and ingredients to restaurants, hotels, and institutional customers nationwide; overlaps significantly in coffee and ingredient categories.
• Mitsubishi Shokuhin: Largest Japanese broadline foodservice distributor supplying restaurants, hotels, and chain accounts; competes head-to-head with UCC Coffee Professional for chain and large-account foodservice contracts.
• Sojitz Foods: Japanese foodservice and food trading company distributing beverages, coffee, and ingredients to restaurants and institutional buyers across Japan.

Broad incumbents

• Suntory (B2B/Foodservice): Suntory supplies beverages, coffee, and foodservice solutions to hotels, restaurants, and cafes in Japan through a B2B motion, overlapping with UCC Coffee Professional's foodservice customer base across a much broader portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about UCC Coffee Professional