GRACE

What GRACE does

GRACE Co., Ltd. (株式会社GRACE) is a Yokohama-headquartered Japanese holding company founded in November 2012 that self-describes as a "Regenerative Company" (再生カンパニー) organized around three thematic pillars: Reuse (value regeneration through secondhand goods, cars, and musical instruments), Rebuild (business regeneration through SME consulting and DX services), and Refresh (vitality regeneration through cafe and restaurant operations). The flagship consumer-facing brand is UNI COFFEE ROASTERY, a cafe and roastery chain originating in Yokohama in April 2020 that has grown to over 18 locations across Kanto and Hokuriku, with sub-brands including UNI DONUTS (food-waste donuts using off-spec pumpkin), Re: Journal (oceanfront Italian restaurant, opened September 2022), Re: Wharf (steak and seafood restaurant at Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse, opened July 2024), ITADAKI (private-room yakiniku), UNI COFFEE ROASTERY BON BON (sweets takeaway), and OASIS CAFE (family-friendly). Core proprietary technology centers on a joint research program with Yokohama National University (Associate Professor Kawamura's lab) extracting holocellulose nanofibers (HCNF) from spent coffee grounds at 52% yield using high-pressure physical impact processing, alongside the UNI PAY mobile payment app with prepaid balance, LINE Pay integration, and free L-size upgrade promotions.

GRACE earns revenue through six streams: reuse transaction fees (Renkindo secondhand goods stores, car reuse), professional service fees (business consulting and DX/Twilio-based web consulting for SMEs), and F&B transaction revenue across cafe, donut, restaurant, and yakiniku locations, plus e-commerce sales of musical instruments and accessories via the Plugin subsidiary's chuya-online.com platform (top-ranked on Yahoo Shopping and au Shopping in 2023 with 50,000+ items shipped monthly). The go-to-market mixes direct-to-consumer physical retail with sales-led B2B consulting engagements and government partnerships. Supporting infrastructure includes wholly-owned subsidiaries UNI SOUND Co., Ltd. (musical instruments, spun off May 2025), Tokai Gakki Seisakusho (instrument manufacturer), Plugin (e-commerce), Kaishin Sangyo (logistics with 100 trucks, acquired April 2024), Hotel du Suzuki (4-store patisserie, acquired July 2024), and 3peace (18-store vintage clothing chain with FY2024 revenue of JPY 1.409B, joined February 2025).

The company is privately held with no disclosed external institutional investors; founder and Representative Director Sawamura Yuta leads the organization. International footprint includes a Guangzhou regional hub (November 2021), Melbourne musical instrument office (March 2019), and Samut Prakan reuse shop in Thailand, while domestic expansion is anchored by comprehensive partnership agreements with Kawasaki, Komatsu, Kushiro, Namegata, and Otsuki municipal governments for regional revitalization. A JPY 1.65 billion syndicated loan arranged by Shoko Chukin Bank in March 2024 supports the acquisition and rollout pipeline. Consolidated group revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

GRACE

Legal name

GRACE CO., LTD.

Website

https://gr1.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

GRACE Co., Ltd. is a Yokohama-based Japanese holding company operating a "Regenerative Company" platform across three pillars: Reuse (secondhand goods and cars), Rebuild (SME consulting and DX), and Refresh (UNI COFFEE ROASTERY cafe, donut, and restaurant chain with 18+ locations), serving consumers, SMEs, and local municipalities across Japan with select international hubs in China, Australia, and Thailand.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Multi-brand Retail and Hospitality Services

NAICS

Coffee and Tea Manufacturing (311920), Cookie and Cracker Manufacturing (311821), Commercial Bakeries (311812), Beverage Manufacturing (3121)

SIC

Food And Kindred Products (2000), Beverages (2080)

akta.pro primary industry

Reuse & Resale / Recommerce Operations (EUAIANAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Repair, Refurbishment & Remanufacturing Services (EUAIANAB), Material Reuse & Upcycling Services (Non-recycling Transformation) (EUAIANAJ), Reusable Packaging & Refill Systems (Returnable Transport Items, Deposit/DRS Ops) (EUAIANAE)

Keywords

• Used goods retail
• Cafe restaurant operations
• Musical instrument sales
• Business consulting services
• Circular economy initiatives

Headquarters

HQ city

Yokohama

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices30 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. リユース事業 (Reuse business): Secondhand goods purchasing and resale including vintage items, antiques, musical instruments, and audio equipment through specialty stores like 錬金堂
2. カーリユース事業 (Car reuse): Used car purchasing and resale operations
3. ビジネスコンサルティング事業 (Business consulting): Business consulting services for SME regeneration, operational optimization, and web marketing support
4. DX推進事業 (Digital transformation): Web consulting, system integration, and digital marketing services using platforms like Twilio
5. カフェレストラン事業 (Cafe restaurant): Operating UNI COFFEE ROASTERY cafes, UNI DONUTS, Re: Wharf steakhouse, Re: Journal restaurant, and ITADAKI yakiniku restaurants. Revenue from food and beverage sales at physical locations
6. 楽器事業 (Musical instrument): New and used musical instrument sales, manufacturing through Tokai Gakki, e-commerce via chuya-online.com, and record sales through UNI SOUND RECORDS

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

GRACE operates a regenerative business organized around three pillars: Reuse (secondhand goods, antiques, musical instruments, and used car sales through Renkindo, UNI SOUND, and car reuse operations), Rebuild (business consulting and digital transformation services for SMEs using Twilio and other platforms), and Refresh (cafe and restaurant operations under UNI COFFEE ROASTERY brand including standard cafes, UNI DONUTS specialty donut stores, Re:Journal Italian restaurant, Re:Wharf steakhouse, and ITADAKI yakiniku restaurants). The company also conducts joint research on upcycling coffee waste into cellulose nanofibers with Yokohama National University.

Product overview

GRACE operates as a 'Regenerative Company' (再生カンパニー) organized around three regeneration themes: Reuse (価値の再生), Rebuild (ビジネスの再生), and Refresh (元の再生). The core product portfolio centers on UNI COFFEE ROASTERY, a Yokohama-originated cafe and roastery brand with over 20 locations including standard cafes, sweets specialty shops (UNI COFFEE ROASTERY BON BON, UNI DONUTS), restaurant concepts (Re: Journal, Re: Wharf, Salon de Parfait), and family cafes (OASIS CAFE). Under the Reuse theme, GRACE operates the Renkindo second-hand goods chain, UNI SOUND for musical instruments and records, and the car reuse business. The Rebuild theme encompasses business consulting and DX promotion services. The Refresh theme focuses on cafe restaurant operations including ITADAKI yakiniku restaurants. Supporting services include UNI PAY mobile payment, UNI.STRAW eco-products, and joint research on cellulose nanofibers from coffee grounds.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• UNI COFFEE ROASTERY: Cafe and roastery brand; first store opened April 2020 in Yokohama. Operates multiple format variants including cafe, parfait parlor, takeout specialty (BON BON), and doughnut shop (UNI DONUTS). Also includes restaurant brand Re: Journal and steak & seafood restaurant Re: Wharf.
• UNI SOUND
• Renkindo (錬金堂)
• ITADAKI

Products and services

• UNI COFFEE ROASTERY cafe chain
• UNI DONUTS donut specialty stores
• Re:Journal Italian restaurant
• Re: Wharf steak and seafood restaurant
• Renkindo reuse stores
• UNI SOUND musical instruments
• ITADAKI premium yakiniku restaurants
• Car reuse business
• Business consulting services
• DX promotion services
• UNI PAY mobile payment and ordering service
• 3peace vintage clothing retail chain

Quantifiable outcome

• Successfully raised ¥16.5 billion syndicated loan for business expansion
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 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

Integration7 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Wittamer (ヴィタメール)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 January 2025Belgian Royal Warrant chocolate brand collaboration with UNI DONUTS for Valentine's Day limited edition donuts (February 2025) sold at Daimaru Tokyo store. High-profile brand partnership for premium product line.
• Kewpie Corporation (キユーピー株式会社)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 November 2024Collaboration for plant-based burger 'Colors,Future! Burger' using HOBOTAMA egg substitute at UNI COFFERY Kawasaki City Hall during 100th anniversary celebration event.
• Tastable Corporation (株式会社Tastable)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 November 2024Collaboration for plant-based meat 'NIKUVEGE' used in 'Colors,Future! Burger' at UNI COFFERY Kawasaki City Hall location.
• Kawasaki City (川崎市)coreOthers · 15 April 2024Partnership for UNI COFFERY location inside city hall building with plaza management and maintenance. Includes local product collaboration with Sumiyoshi traditional sweet maker.
• Kaishin Sangyo Co. Ltd. (開真産業株式会社)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2024100% acquisition for logistics capabilities including 100 trucks for酒類・飲料水 and food delivery in Tokyo metropolitan area. Supports last-mile delivery and logistics for cafe/restaurant operations.
• Namegata City, Ibaraki (茨城県・行方市)minorOthers · 20 July 2023Comprehensive partnership for local agricultural product brand building including GI-registered 'Namegata Kansho' sweet potato, leveraging GRACE's branding and distribution capabilities.
• Ariake Co. Ltd. (株式会社ありあけ)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 June 2023Collaboration with Yokohama confectionery maker for limited edition 'Yuzu Harbour Affogato' at UNI COFFERY Red Brick Warehouse location. Part of Red Brick Hub project.
• Yokohama Akarenga Co. Ltd. (株式会社横浜赤レンガ)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 December 2022Red Brick Hub project partnership for collaborative events and promotions at Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse cultural commercial facility.
• Kushiro City, Hokkaido (北海道・釧路市)minorOthers · 5 December 2022Comprehensive partnership for regional revitalization including opening Renkindo reuse store and logistics hub for exporting to Thailand.
• Komatsu City, Ishikawa (石川県小松市)coreOthers · 30 November 2022Comprehensive partnership agreement for regional revitalization including employment creation, local product promotion using UNI COFFERY cafes, and planned Renkindo store openings. Also joint research support.
• Yokohama National University (横浜国立大学)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2022Joint research contract for developing functional materials using cellulose nanofibers extracted from food waste (coffee grounds). GRACE provides coffee grounds waste and research funding; university provides research expertise through Professor Kawamura's laboratory.
• Oakwood Hotel Azabu (オークウッドホテル麻布)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 30 September 2022Shop-in-shop partnership at hotel lobby for UNI COFFERY Azabu location, operated within hotel premises. Features unique vinyl record listening experience with UNI SOUND RECORDS.
• The Ascott Limited (アスコット)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 30 September 2022Global hospitality group operating Oakwood hotels in 220+ cities across 40+ countries. Partnership for hotel cafe operations.
• Otsuki City, Yamanashi (山梨県・大月市)minorOthers · 15 September 2022Comprehensive partnership for vacant house solutions, environmental education, and potential local product utilization in UNI COFFERY menus.
• Okamura Corporation (株式会社オカムラ)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 March 2022Display partnership for portable battery 'OC' at UNI COFFERY Mark Is Minato Mirai location. Product demonstration partnership in cafe setting.
• UNHCR (国連难民高等弁務官事務所)minorOthers · 20 November 2021Charitable partnership allowing UNI COFFERY app users to donate to UNHCR through Thank you card feature. Connection to Myanmar where GRACE sources coffee and where refugee issues are significant.
• Yokohama DeNA BayStars (横浜DeNAベイスターズ)flagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 July 2021Official sponsor of professional baseball team with billboard advertising at Yokohama Stadium. Brand visibility through sports marketing at landmark venue.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Mister Donut (Duskin Co., Ltd.): Largest Japanese donut chain, operated by Duskin. Direct comparable to UNI DONUTS in donut category, mall real estate strategy and multi-format (counter + cafe) operations.
• Treasure Factory: Japanese reuse/secondhand clothing and general-merchandise retailer (40+ stores). Comparable to Renkindo and 3peace on multi-store reuse retail, dealer purchase model and recommerce operations.
• Doutor Coffee: Japan's largest domestic specialty coffee chain (~1,200+ stores). Directly comparable to UNI COFFEE ROASTERY as a multi-format Japanese cafe/coffee brand competing for similar Kanto office-and-shopping-mall foot traffic and consumer coffee spend.
• Tully's Coffee Japan: Specialty coffee chain operating ~600 stores in Japan under exclusive license. Closely comparable to UNI COFFEE ROASTERY on specialty-coffee positioning, mall/cafe real estate strategy and Japanese consumer demographic.
• 2nd Street (GEO Holdings): Nationwide chain specializing in vintage/used clothing and lifestyle reuse. Closely comparable to recently acquired 3peace (used clothing, 18 stores) on vintage-fashion retail operations and customer segmentation.
• St. Marc Cafe (Suntory): Japanese cafe/dessert chain owned by Suntory. Directly comparable to UNI COFFEE ROASTERY/UNI DONUTS as a multi-format Japanese cafe + sweets brand targeting similar middle-to-upper consumer occasions.
• Hard Off Corporation: Japan's leading reuse retail chain (Hard Off, Off House, Mode Off, Book Off ecosystem stores). Directly comparable to Renkindo and broader GRACE reuse business on recommerce operations across secondhand/vintage general merchandise.

Emerging players

• % Arabica: Premium Japanese-originated specialty coffee brand with global footprint. Comparable as a specialty-coffee operator with design-forward stores and high per-cup ASP, though at a more premium/lifestyle positioning than UNI COFFEE ROASTERY.
• Mercari, Inc. Largest Japanese C2C resale marketplace (Mercari, Mercari Shops, ReUsed services). Tangentially comparable as a peer in the Japanese recommerce/reuse space, though online-only vs. GRACE's physical-store-first reuse model.
• Blue Bottle Coffee Japan: US-origin premium specialty coffee with growing Japan presence. Comparable to UNI COFFEE ROASTERY on premium single-origin coffee positioning, modern cafe store design, and digitally enabled customer experience.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/grace76550291

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries6 records

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 GRACE