Improving Store Operating Efficiency Through Digitalization, Reservations and Amusement Features

「Bikkura-Pon!, a game in which customers can play by placing 5 finished sushi plates into the plate-collection slot at each table and receive a prize if they win, is one of our signature systems and has remained highly popular since its introduction in 2000. In addition to being the only major conveyor-belt sushi chain to serve sushi on a conveyor belt, we continue to evolve the entertainment value of the experience and pursue enjoyable dining experiences.」

「In addition to being the only major conveyor-belt sushi chain that serves sushi on conveyor belts, we continually evolve the entertainment aspects of our restaurants and pursue enjoyable dining experiences.」

「We are also working to improve convenience, including by introducing a reservation system in coordination with Japan.」

「We also made strategic upfront investments, including touch-panel upgrades, with the following fiscal year and beyond in mind.」

「To continue providing meals that are safe, delicious, affordable and enjoyable, we will work to improve value for money, further promote the use of IT, including the introduction of AI, enhance our entertainment features and increase customer satisfaction. We will also strengthen our DX initiatives to provide products and services quickly and reliably in response to increasingly diverse customer needs.」

「As a measure against nuisance behavior such as prank videos, the company developed a new AI camera-based system, completed its rollout to all stores and created an environment where customers can dine safely and securely.」

「As a measure against nuisance behavior, the company improved its AI camera system, developed a new system to detect and prevent such behavior, completed its rollout to all stores and created an environment where customers can dine safely and securely.」

「Through these investments, a variety of sushi protected by covers travels along the conveyor belt, while ordered items are delivered quickly at the customer’s eye level via the order lane. We have provided the convenience and enjoyment that conveyor-belt sushi should offer while ensuring safety and security.」

「To continue providing meals that are safe, delicious, affordable and enjoyable, we will work to improve value for money, further promote the use of IT, including the introduction of AI, enhance our entertainment features and increase customer satisfaction. We will strengthen our DX initiatives to provide products and services quickly and reliably in response to increasingly diverse customer needs.」

「In these circumstances, placing the safety of customers and employees first, the Group took various measures ahead of competitors to prevent the spread of infection, including the antimicrobial sushi cover “Freshness-kun” and the introduction of “Smart Kura Sushi,”」

「In this environment, our group installed Smart Kura Sushi at all restaurants, equipped with self-payment and self-checkout systems that allow customers to dine without contact with staff from entry to departure. We provided a safe and reassuring environment through contactless service while working to improve customer satisfaction through a smooth dining experience.」

「In December 2021, we completed installation at all domestic restaurants of Smart Kura Sushi, equipped with self-payment and self-checkout systems that allow customers to dine without contact with staff from entry to departure.」

「We introduced “Smart Kura Sushi,” equipped with self-payment and self-checkout, at all stores, enabling customers to dine without contact with employees from entry through departure, strengthening infection-control measures and improving customer convenience.」

「We continued investing in “Smart Kura Sushi,” equipped with self-payment and self-checkout, enabling customers to dine without contact with employees from entry through departure.」

「In November 2020, we opened the first Smart Kura Sushi restaurant in Tokyo Higashimurayama, equipped as standard with contactless services that allow customers to dine without face-to-face contact with staff from entry to departure. All new restaurants will implement thorough infection-control measures, and we will roll out Smart Kura Sushi, equipped as standard with automated payment and self-checkout, as the standard format going forward.」

「Upon entering the restaurant, customers are automatically guided to their seats by an “automatic check-in machine” and an “automatic seating machine.” They can order using their own smartphones through “Smartphone Ordering,” have plates removed from the lane counted automatically by an AI camera through “Self-Check,” and pay at a “Self-Checkout” using a contactless panel. This has enabled restaurants where customers and employees have no contact at all from entry through departure.」

「Amid these conditions, the Group launched the “Smart Kura Project,” an initiative to create restaurants that are safe, secure, exciting and full of promise in the “with-COVID” era while taking new lifestyles and the environment into consideration. We advanced 4 initiatives: ① “Self-Service Kura,” providing self-service guidance and payment from entry through checkout; ② “Smartphone Kura,” offering convenient smartphone ordering; ③ “Safe Kura,” focused on infection prevention; and ④ “At-Home Kura,” covering takeout, delivery and online sales. Using advanced technologies such as IoT, we aim to create a one-of-a-kind restaurant where customers can enjoy themselves more comfortably and safely.」

「In July 2019, we launched the “Smartphone de Kura” services to improve customer convenience. These included “Smartphone de Reservation,” which allows customers to reserve a table for a specified time; “Smartphone de Ordering,” the industry’s first service allowing customers to order from their smartphones; and “Smartphone de Takeout,” which enables takeout orders by smartphone in response to increased takeout demand following the consumption tax increase.」

「In July 2019, we launched the “Smartphone de Kura” service at Kura Sushi restaurants, allowing customers to select items using their smartphones. The customer’s smartphone app links to the touch panel, enabling orders from a multilingual menu. Customers can also place orders in advance while waiting and have them placed automatically simply by registering their table after being seated. In addition, customers can play the Bikkura-Pon! game, in which they can win prizes, once for every ¥500 in orders before tax by ordering side dishes such as noodles and desserts through the smartphone app. We will introduce these services successively to make customers’ visits more enjoyable and comfortable.」

「To continue providing meals that are safe, delicious, affordable and enjoyable, we will work to improve value for money, further promote the use of IT, enhance our entertainment features and increase customer satisfaction.」

「Features such as the Bikkura-Pon! game and the Order Lane, which delivers orders directly to customers, have become popular, as they are in Japan, and performance has remained strong since the first store opened in December 2014.」

「To continue providing meals that are safe, delicious, affordable and enjoyable, we will work to improve value for money, further promote the use of IT, enhance our entertainment features and increase customer satisfaction.」