Is the Five Rail Akihabara Kitty Restaurant a knockoff? Taiwan’s Sanrio claims it lacks authorization

▲Taiwan’s Sanrio stated in a press release that the Mi Food by Hello Kitty restaurant does not have authorization to operate as a restaurant. (Photo / Huang Shih-yuan)

Reported by Huang Shih-yuan / Taipei

Recently, themed restaurants have been all the rage. Whether it’s Kitty, Rilakkuma, Kumamon, or Snoopy-themed eateries, their openings have drawn huge crowds. However, the newly opened Mi Food by Hello Kitty restaurant on B3 of Five Rail Akihabara at Taipei Main Station has not obtained authorization from Taiwan’s Sanrio. The company has denounced the eatery as a “knockoff Kitty restaurant” and urged fans not to patronize it via its official Facebook page.

The Mi Food by Hello Kitty restaurant is operated by Newman Co., Ltd., which claims to have obtained authorization from the Italian company MIFOOD. This includes licensing for three Kitty-patterned products and the operation of eight Italian restaurants in Taiwan (with licensing fees already paid). Moreover, the three Kitty patterns from the Italian company MIFOOD were reportedly authorized by Japan’s Sanrio. Regarding the restaurant’s licensing dispute, Newman has been in contact with MIFOOD, but the latter has yet to respond. The manager of Mi Food by Hello Kitty said that if MIFOOD’s contract with Sanrio has expired or if there are concerns about the restaurant’s authorization, MIFOOD should help them resolve the issue instead of simply labeling them a pirated restaurant.

Read more:Spark your girly side: 4 officially authorized Hello Kitty restaurants across Taiwan


▲Taiwan’s Sanrio stated that opening a restaurant requires a separate “space license.” Pictured is Hello Kitty Shabu-Shabu. (Photo / Huang Shih-yuan)

However, Taiwan’s Sanrio issued a statement clarifying that although its contract with the Italian company MIFOOD had expired and related disputes will be resolved through legal channels, the scope of that contract did not include opening a Hello Kitty restaurant or using Hello Kitty imagery to provide food and beverage services. Both the Italian MIFOOD company and Newman were aware of these limitations.

Before the Mi Food by Hello Kitty restaurant opened, Taiwan’s Sanrio said it was informed of the plans and repeatedly warned that it would constitute an infringement, but the restaurant proceeded to open anyway. Taiwan’s Sanrio reserves all legal rights to pursue further action.

Taiwan’s Sanrio also noted that using the Hello Kitty theme for a restaurant or specialty store requires obtaining a “space license,” which must be granted by a local authorized company.,In addition to themed food items, the restaurant’s interior decor and furnishings also require Sanrio’s authorization. Simply having legally licensed merchandise does not permit the opening of a Hello Kitty-themed restaurant (or other themed venues). Taiwan’s Sanrio pointed out that some domestic homestays, for example, purchase large quantities of Hello Kitty goods and design their rooms as Hello Kitty-themed spaces—this also counts as infringement. The company has previously advised several such businesses, and the operators eventually withdrew the services on their own.

Press Release from Taiwan’s Sanrio