Mos Burger operator opens first drinks stand to reduce food waste; expects to reduce food waste by 4 tons per year

The operator of the Mos Burger chain has opened a new business: a drinks stand selling juices and smoothies made from vegetables that cannot be used for the burgers.

Mos Food Services Inc. opened the first Stand by Mos outlet earlier this month at Ikebukuro Station on Tokyo’s Tobu Tojo Line. The drink stand, which measures just 16 square meters, offers takeout only, with its signature tomato juice priced at 420 yen for 180 milliliters.

The products at the drink stand are made from vegetables that, despite their quality, are not suitable as an ingredient for hamburgers because they are too small or have some scars.

If the drinks sell as expected, the stand will help reduce food waste by more than 4 tons per year, according to the operator.

Beverage stands can operate in a small space because they only need blenders and refrigerators. Mos Food Services said it is considering opening additional stands at other train stations or commercial complexes, depending on how much product is sold at the first location.