The new range is designed to deliver “restaurant-quality meals” that can be purchased conveniently and then enjoyed at home.
Set to hit supermarket shelves on 23 April, the range will initially be available at a promotional price of £4 per meal, down from £4.80.
With five mains and three sides, the SKUs are being manufactured by Samworth Brothers and were developed in partnership with YO! owner The Wonderfield Group.
The mains include Chicken Katsu Curry, Beef Teriyaki, Miso Aubergine Bowl, Firecracker Chicken Rice and Korean-style Chicken Donburi dishes, while edamame, chicken bites and gyozas can be purchased as sides.
According to Kantar data, the ready meals category has been experiencing substantial growth, with brands in this space delivering £30 million growth in the 12-month period up to February 2025. The category has also seen a surge in buyer numbers, with 31% of new shoppers entering through ready meal brands.
“At Samworth Brothers, we are proud to manufacture and distribute high-quality, innovative meal solutions,” said Robin Averill-Hampshire, senior commercial strategy manager at Samworth Brothers.
“This partnership with YO! is a fantastic opportunity to bring an authentic and trusted high-street brand into more homes across the UK.”
Head of grocery at YO!, Charlotte Crowther, added: “We’re absolutely thrilled to expand our grocery range with meals inspired by our restaurant favourites. Our goal is to bring high-quality Japanese and Asian cuisine straight to shoppers, making it easier than ever to enjoy bold, flavourful dishes from the comfort of home. We can’t wait for everyone to dig in.”
With 15 sites across the UK and Ireland, Samworth Brothers employs more than 12,500 people. The food manufacturer owns brands including Ginsters, Soreen and Higgidy, while it completed the acquisition of The Real Wrap Co in April 2024.
Meanwhile, YO! is a chain of sushi restaurants located in the UK, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and Australia.
