Improving operational efficiency through system streamlining and integrated regional management

「An environment is gradually being established in which important management data, including costs, sales, labor costs and attendance, can be collected and analyzed in an integrated manner. The formation of data-driven management, in which decisions based on data are practiced company-wide, is steadily progressing.」

「We are proceeding with capital investment and DX initiatives to enhance customer service.」

「Under the new system, the head office training center will centrally manage skill assessments and career histories for both employees and part-time staff, supporting appropriate staff allocation and talent development.」

「To prevent deterioration in QSC caused by labor shortages, we have developed a Productivity Improvement Package to promote labor-saving measures and are installing productivity-enhancing equipment as needed, depending on the format and operating conditions of each restaurant. We have already equipped all restaurants with automated change machines and have installed a reservation management system (EPARK), a QR-code mobile-ordering system for inbound customers, intercoms and kitchen displays, thereby improving order-processing efficiency. This fiscal year, we have also identified reducing store staff's operational processes and administrative workload as priorities and will work to reduce the burden of management tasks such as shift scheduling.」

「For productivity improvements, we are actively pursuing DX and automation, including at existing stores. This includes enhancing floor service through table-ordering systems, managing service times through kitchen displays, and preventing service delays, and these initiatives will continue.」

「We have passed the midpoint of our medium-term management plan. Despite the continued challenging business environment, we are continuing to invest in DX to provide greater added value. Based on the results achieved through the installation of kitchen displays and table-ordering systems, we will continue investing mainly in our dining-format restaurants.」

「To provide “60 minutes of comfort and relaxation,” we will continue promoting DX and productivity improvements by introducing queue-number kiosks for entry, smartphone ordering systems at tables and kitchen displays that allow kitchen staff to see order details at a glance.」

「The Company has already begun deploying automatic change dispensers at all stores, a reservation management system (EPARK), a QR-code mobile ordering system, intercoms, and kitchen displays, and is also considering the introduction of serving robots and self-checkout registers.」

「Amid rising ingredient and energy costs and labor shortages, we are pursuing value engineering in the menus we offer, reviewing store QSC checks, introducing cash registers with automatic change-dispensing functions and installing entry-reception kiosks, among other measures, to reduce staffing requirements and improve management efficiency through DX.」

「To improve productivity through mechanization and greater efficiency, the company will replace or add checkout machines equipped with automatic change dispensers at stores, expand manufacturing space at production plants and continue investing in productivity-enhancing equipment.」

「We have positioned mechanization and DX (digital transformation) to improve productivity and service levels, opening and relocating stores near central business districts against the backdrop of shorter commutes, and expanding the food retail business, which presents opportunities amid changes in lifestyles, as “growth investments,” enabling us to respond quickly to change.」

「As a further initiative to lower the break-even point, we will establish workflows that improve productivity while keeping the proportion of indirect departments under control.」

「Because customer traffic at both stores is still only about 50% of pre-COVID levels, their potential based on location has not yet been fully realized. However, we are continuing initiatives to lower the Company-wide break-even point through integrated regional operations while working to improve profitability.」

「The sales division will promote integrated operations within the same region through multitasking, improving productivity by optimizing headcount and flexibly reallocating staff during busy periods. We will also standardize service operations in the dining area and cooking operations in the kitchen, and establish electronic manuals accessible on mobile devices to create an environment where employees can efficiently acquire the necessary knowledge and skills.」

「By operating 4 stores together with the okonomiyaki restaurant Kotegaeshi and the pasta and cake restaurant Ducky Duck located in the same facility, we are further improving efficiency and curbing labor costs.」

「Through various initiatives, including staffing within the same region to improve operational efficiency, reducing food waste through menus using common ingredients, and increasing the proportion of takeout sales, we will establish a model for operating in the new normal.」

「In the sales division, we will promote integrated operations within each area and establish a training structure to develop area managers who oversee multiple stores and business formats. The production division will be positioned as a cost center and will seek to improve productivity through labor-saving equipment and system implementation. In the administrative division, in line with the digital transformation trend, we will improve operational efficiency through videoconferencing and telework, while promoting recruitment based on clearly defined duties, commonly known as “job-based” recruitment, to optimize staffing.」

「With a primary focus on improving labor productivity, we have placed considerable emphasis on training. In addition to providing high-quality customer service, we held in-house cooking and plating competitions focused on creating top-quality products, broadening the pool of talent across the stores. This has also led to an increase in the number of regular days off taken by employees and a reduction in overtime.」

「To promote a better work-life balance, we will continue standardizing and streamlining operations, encouraging employees to take regular days off and paid leave, and curbing overtime, thereby optimizing labor costs.」

「Operational efficiency at stores is also improving through the introduction of a reservation ledger system and the official “Pastakan/Kotegaeshi” app.」

「We have also changed key meeting structures for advancing streamlining and efficiency, including going paperless to reduce administrative work at stores and reviewing logistics costs, while working to accelerate business execution.」

「To respond to the AI era, we are implementing software and employee training to improve operational efficiency.」

「To respond to the era of artificial intelligence accompanying the adoption of AI (Artificial Intelligence), we will promote system implementation to improve operational efficiency at production sites and in indirect departments.」

「In response to the challenge of a shortage of young workers resulting from demographic changes, we will seek to improve operational efficiency by streamlining systems at the head office and headquarters. At the stores, we will further promote integrated management by region.」