Izutsu Maisen Co., Ltd.

Ensuring traceability

Amid an increasing awareness of food safety and security, inquiries from customers and business partners regarding the places of origin of pork and other products are increasing. For this reason, we maintain documentation of the place of origin, and respond accurately to inquiries.

Promotion of food recycling

We focus effort on reducing and recycling food waste, including our early implementation of 100% waste oil recycling. Bread crusts removed during the production of pork fillet cutlet sandwiches have been effectively utilized by selling them to bread crumbs manufacturers and feed producers. As a result of these efforts, we have maintained a 100% recycling rate at the Takatsu Plant and approximately 50% at our shops, and we will continue to strive for further improvement.

Adoption of filtered fryers

In addition to the above efforts, we have been gradually switching to fryers equipped with filters in our shops, thereby reducing the workload of female kitchen staff and significantly reducing waste oil volumes.

Reducing food loss

Since we work with items delivered daily, unsold products have to be discarded immediately. We are therefore working on management to improve sales and minimize food loss, and have achieved one of the best loss ratios in the industry.

Switching take-out bags

In 2021, we implemented a switch to a 25% biomass material for the take-out bags used at our directly managed retail shops. To encourage customers to bring their own bags, we developed an eco-bag specially made by Maisen, ideally sized to hold our products and offered for sale in our shops.

Calorie and allergen labeling for each product

In keeping with the recent health boom, we display nutritional information for each product on our website. We disclose allergen information to ensure that customers can enjoy their meals with peace of mind. In addition to the seven raw ingredients specified for mandatory disclosure, we also display information on the 21 associated ingredients for which disclosure is optional.

Conducting audits of supplier plants

In order to provide our customers with safe, secure meals, it is essential that we maintain relationships of trust with our suppliers, including providers of pork and other raw ingredients. For this reason, when we begin dealing with a new supplier, we conduct a local plant audit, whether in Japan or overseas, to confirm that the supplier is trustworthy. We also conduct regular audits of existing suppliers and request improvements as necessary as we work to create a system that ensures safety and security throughout the supply chain.

Relationship with Employees

Creating an environment supportive of employee growth

In order to bring smiles to our customers' faces, it is essential that each and every employee who provides products and services benefits from personal awareness and growth. Based on this idea, Maisen has established a training system by job classification and seniority level, and also utilizes outside training programs to meet the growth aspirations of employees.

Mental and physical health support for employees

To ensure that employees can always work with vigor and enthusiasm, we conduct regular health checkups once a year (twice for those working at night) and maintain a 100% examination rate. We hold regular consultation sessions with occupational physicians, not only for physical health management, but to also promote mental health self-checks and to follow up on the check results. In addition, our Health and Safety Committee sponsors monthly workplace inspection visits to ensure a safe workplace.

Unique motivational contests

In order to enhance the quality of customer service by store employees who have many opportunities to interact with customers, we hold the M-1 Grand Prix every year based on the "MAiSEN Hospitality No. 1" concept. Each award recognizes exemplary smiles and customer service at our shops, which not only motivates the honorees but also has a ripple effect on other employees.

Internal performance recognition system

Awards are presented to employees who have achieved exemplary results, such as notable achievements in business performance and social contribution activities. We have introduced the "MAiSEN of the Year" system, intended not only to improve company performance and raise morale, but also to fulfill our corporate philosophy.

Promoting Work-Life Balance

Given our high percentage of female employees, particularly at MAiSEN shops, we have worked from early on to create an environment that allows employees to balance work and family life. In 2011, we introduced a maternity and childcare leave system, which has been used by many employees.

Promotion of Diversity

At Maisen, we aim to create a workplace where diverse human resources can play an active role regardless of gender, age, nationality, or disability.
Active in hiring people with disabilities, we now have 12 employees with disabilities.

Helping revitalize the community around our main location

To local residents in the vicinity of our main shop Aoyama, location in Shibuya-ku, we are a familiar presence at the core of the local shopping district. To fulfill our responsibility as a member of the local community, we participate in the Town Development Association, and also cooperate in traffic safety activities.

The Children’s Project, supporting children’s growth through meals

The Children’s Project has been in operation since 2011, providing pork fillet cutlet sandwiches to children working hard at sports such as baseball, soccer, and golf, thereby supporting healthy growth of the children who will lead the next generation. Aside from the delicious taste, the Japanese name for these sandwiches includes the word "katsu," synonymous with "win," which makes them a favorite good-luck charm for kids.
Since 2022, the company has also been making curry from scrap meat and vegetables, calling it "Maisen SDGS Curry," and offering it to local children's cafeterias.

Maisen SDGS Curry