Hitomairu Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Kita-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Hiroyuki Maegaki) announced that its subsidiary, Hitomairu Logistics Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Wakō-shi, Saitama; President and CEO: Manabu Okawara), which handles logistics within the Hitomairu Group, will commence full-scale third-party logistics (3PL) services for Toraji Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Kōtō-ku, Tokyo; President: Shin-hiko Kim), a company that operates yakiniku specialty restaurants such as "Yakiniku Toraji" primarily in the Tokyo metropolitan area. This initiative will leverage the approximately 200 tsubo of refrigeration and freezing facilities at the "Heiwa-jima Center," which were introduced this year and support three temperature zones (frozen, partial freeze, and refrigerated). The services will officially begin in July 2026. The Hitomairu Group's medium-term management plan, "TRANSFORMATION PLAN 2028," emphasizes strengthening its "sales platform business centered on logistics," which involves providing integrated services from order reception, storage, and delivery to billing and settlement to external companies. Under this plan, in addition to its traditional strengths in alcoholic beverages, drinks, and dry goods, the company has been expanding its handling of temperature-sensitive goods, particularly fresh foods, and offering its platform to external shippers. The introduction of the refrigeration and freezing facilities and the commencement of full-scale logistics services are integral parts of the group's growth strategy. ■ Overview of the Initiative The food service industry currently faces common challenges, including a shortage of delivery drivers, rising costs, compliance with the "2024 Problem" (related to driver working hours), and stringent quality control for ingredients. Hitomairu Logistics utilizes its extensive assets and delivery expertise, cultivated through its group's internal deliveries, to establish a highly efficient 3PL system that resolves these logistics i