• Yo-Kai Express, a developer of a robotic ramen vending machine, received an undisclosed amount of funds in Series A funding from Japan Tobacco (JT) and the international ramen noodle chain Ippudo—via its parent company Chikaranomoto Holdings.

• In addition, Yo-Kai Express announced partnerships with Japan-based TableMark, a frozen food innovator and subsidiary of JT, and Ippudo to co-develop and market new udon and ramen menu items for the vending machines.

• Menu options added from TableMark include udon noodle options, with plans to add its signature curry, kitsune, and meat udon dishes later this year. Menu options added from Ippudo include hakata udon and soba noodle dishes, as well as hakata-style ramen noodles and plant-based tonkotsu-style ramen options.

• The company also revealed plans to expand its reach in Japan by deploying about seven more machines in the coming months (up from three units in operation today) while expanding its presence in the US as well. The company is also in talks with Korean brands to introduce the machine in the Korean market. 

<ul><li> Analyst QuickTake: The news comes just a few months after Yo-Kai Express' ramen vending machines debuted in the US (February 2022) and Japan (March 2022). During its Japanese debut too, the company worked with Ippudo to offer the latter’s ramen noodles through its automated robotic vending machines.</ul>