Chubby Group has raised over $45 million in equity funding, reinforcing its $300 million+ valuation and expanding its premium dining footprint. With a $20 million prepayment for Japanese A5 Wagyu and plans to acquire 5,000+ wagyu cattle, it is set to become the largest hospitality-based consumer of A5 Wagyu in the U.S. by 2025. The company also plans to open 35 new locations and launch the Chubby Club loyalty program, aiming to reach 1 million members.
LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESS Newswire / February 10, 2025 / Chubby Group has raised over $45 million in equity funding across its holding company and individual restaurant locations, reinforcing its position as a leader in premium dining and in-person experiences. This achievement highlights the company's strategic scaling and premium ingredient acquisition, particularly in Japanese A5 wagyu.
In 2024, the company set an ambitious goal to acquire at least $20 million in wagyu supply to support its expanding restaurant chain. Through debt and equity financing, Chubby Group successfully met this target while positioning itself for continued growth.
This year, Chubby Group secured over $10 million in debt financing to support wagyu acquisition and business expansion. The most recent round includes funding from Pasadena- based East West Bank-a leading financial institution with deep expertise in cross-border transactions-along with contributions from family offices and long-term partners. These funds were instrumental in securing a $20 million prepayment for Japanese A5 wagyu supply in Q1 2025.
To date, Chubby Group has raised over $45 million in equity investments, funding the development of nearly 35 existing locations and the next 35 in the pipeline for 2025. With the latest round, Chubby Group's valuation now stands at $300 million.
Notably, the latest round includes an investment from Shinnosuke Murakami, a representative of S Foods Group and one of Japan's most prominent wagyu industry leaders, who has now decided to further support the company through an additional contribution via S Foods Group, a major Japanese meat company with annual consolidated net sales of ¥425 billion (approximately $2.89 billion).
Also participating in this latest round is Entrepreneur Ventures, a firm specializing in scaling innovative consumer businesses. Entrepreneur Ventures has backed Chubby Group alongside over 150 startups in consumer packaged goods (CPG), technology, and frontier markets.
With these backings, Chubby Group is acquiring over 5,000 Japanese A5 wagyu cattle and additional premium livestock throughout the coming year. This initiative will make Chubby Group the largest hospitality-based consumer of Japanese A5 wagyu in the United States, accounting for approximately 5% of Japan's total A5 wagyu exports in 2025, with plans to increase that share to 10% by 2026.
"This is a significant milestone for Chubby Group as we continue our mission to not only make high-quality ingredients more accessible but also deliver exceptional value across all our F&B concepts." said David Zhao, Co-Founder of Chubby Group.
Looking ahead, Chubby Group plans to open 35 new locations in 2025, expanding its footprint to nearly 70 establishments by year-end. As part of its growth strategy, the company is advancing its supply chain management and loyalty engagement to enhance the dining experience and industry impact.
Through a first-of-its-kind loyalty ecosystem, Chubby Group aims to onboard 1 million members to its Chubby Club program, positioning it among the fastest-growing in the food and beverage industry. By strengthening direct partnerships with top-tier suppliers, Chubby Group ensures unparalleled offerings for Chubby Club members and restaurant patrons alike.
"Our vision is to transform the hospitality landscape through quality, value, and innovation," said Haibin Yang, CEO of Chubby Group. "With the support of our investors and partners, we continue to push boundaries and create elevated dining experiences that set us apart."
About Shinnosuke Murakami & S Foods Inc.
Shinnosuke Murakami is a prominent leader in Japan's food industry, serving as President and Representative Director of S Foods Inc. S Foods Inc., established in 1967 and headquartered in Nishinomiya, Japan, is a meat company engaged in manufacturing, wholesaling, retailing, and food servicing of meat-related products. The company operates through three segments: Manufacturing and Wholesale Business, Meat Retail Business, and Meat Restaurant Business. Its global reputation is built on its leadership in wagyu production and commitment to quality.
About Chubby Group (Chubby Cattle International, LLC)
Chubby Group is a global, multi-brand Food and Beverage (F&B) company with headquarters in the United States, China, and Japan. Operating across B2B and B2C channels, it is fully vertically and horizontally integrated, ensuring premium ingredients through direct sourcing and a streamlined supply chain. Its diverse restaurant concepts-including X Pot, Chubby Cattle BBQ, NIKU X, and MIKIYA Wagyu Shabu House-offer innovative, high-value dining experiences. By centralizing memberships and enhancing customer engagement, Chubby Group fosters loyalty while redefining the F&B industry. On track to becoming the world's largest in-person experience platform, it is setting a new global standard for dining, entertainment, and operational excellence.
For more information, please contact:
hi@chubbygroup.com
www.chubbygroup.com
Media Contact
April Li
april@chubbygroup.com
4243889875
SOURCE: Chubby Group
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