Strengthening product offerings and building a low-cost operating model

「The company promoted the introduction and rollout of touchscreen ordering systems, expanding them to 451 stores, approximately 95% of the total, by the end of August. Self-checkout terminals have also been introduced mainly at new roadside stores and are currently operating at 25 stores. The company plans to expand them to existing roadside stores as well. Serving robots are currently operating at 75 units across 71 stores, mainly roadside locations.」

「At our stores, we promoted the introduction and conversion to touchscreen ordering systems, expanding them to 421 stores, approximately 89% of all stores, as of the end of February. We also introduced self-checkout machines mainly at new roadside stores, with 17 stores currently in operation. We plan to expand them to existing roadside stores. Serving robots are operating at 70 roadside-focused stores, with 73 units in operation, and we will continue introducing them.」

「At our stores, we promoted the introduction and conversion to touchscreen ordering systems, expanding them to 381 stores, approximately 81% of all stores, as of the end of August. We also introduced self-checkout machines mainly at new roadside stores, with 5 stores currently in operation. We plan to expand them to existing roadside stores. Serving robots are operating at 59 stores, mainly roadside locations, and we will continue introducing them.」

「Completing the switch to the new POS system at all stores in April improved the processing capacity and speed of cashless payments and points awards, raising convenience and improving store operating efficiency. In August, the Rakuten Point Card common points service became available across all business formats. Cashless adoption advanced further through points awards, including d POINT, and continued to increase even after reaching the 40% target set by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. The cashless payment ratio was approximately 56% in February 2025.」

「Completing the switch to the new POS system at all stores in April improved the processing capacity and speed of cashless payments and points awards, raising convenience and improving store operating efficiency. In August, the Rakuten Point Card common points service became newly available, increasing use by new customers. The touchscreen ordering system had been introduced or converted at 271 stores as of the end of August, or 60% of all stores. Serving robots are operating at 39 roadside-focused stores, with 40 units in operation. We will continue introducing both systems.」

「To improve store operating efficiency and the processing capacity for cashless payments, we completed the switch to the new POS system at all stores in April. Yakitori Hidakaya introduced d POINT as its first points service and began rolling it out sequentially. The introduction and conversion to touchscreen ordering systems had been expanded to 247 stores as of the end of May. Because the system improves customer convenience as well as store productivity and efficiency, we will continue introducing it. Serving robots are operating at 30 roadside-focused stores, with 31 units in operation.」

「To improve store operating efficiency and the processing capacity for cashless payments, we are switching to a new POS system. It has been introduced at 255 Hidakaya-format stores and 20 yakitori-format stores. The switch is scheduled to be completed at all stores by April. The introduction and conversion to touchscreen ordering systems had been expanded to 229 stores as of the end of February. Serving robots are operating at 27 roadside-focused stores, with 28 units in operation.」

「To improve customer convenience and the efficiency and productivity of store operations, we promoted the introduction and conversion to touchscreen ordering systems, expanding them to 182 stores as of the end of November. Because the system also helps create a more accessible working environment for foreign full-time and Friend employees, a diverse workforce is active across the company. Serving robots have been introduced at 25 stores, mainly roadside locations, and large new stores are adopting layouts designed with the introduction of serving robots in mind.」

「To improve customer convenience and the efficiency and productivity of store operations, we promoted the introduction and conversion to touchscreen ordering systems, expanding them to 164 stores as of the end of August. Serving robots have been introduced at 24 stores, mainly roadside locations, and large new roadside stores are adopting layouts designed with the introduction of serving robots in mind.」

「At existing stores, we are expanding the points service and switching to touchscreen ordering systems with the aim of making store operations more convenient and enjoyable for customers visiting our stores.」

「By expanding touchscreen ordering systems, we will improve customer convenience, while promoting the introduction of serving robots to review and improve store operations and raise efficiency. We will also promote digitalization to improve productivity, including by reducing the burden on store and plant employees through the operation of a system supporting automatic ordering of ingredients for stores.」

「At existing stores, we are expanding cashless payments and the points service and continuing takeout and delivery services to meet customers' diverse needs. By advancing the transition to touchscreen ordering systems, we are improving customer convenience, while continuously reviewing and improving store operations to raise productivity.」

「At existing stores, we expanded cashless payments and the points service and conducted a campaign awarding points to customers using QR-code payments. We addressed customers' diverse needs through takeout and delivery services. We will continue developing convenient stores by switching to and expanding touchscreen ordering systems, while continuously reviewing and improving store operations to raise productivity.」

「At existing stores, we are sequentially switching to touchscreen ordering systems and working to reduce store operating requirements and control labor costs alongside the introduction of serving robots.」

「Following the trial introduction, we plan to deploy 50 serving and transport robots sequentially to stores in the future and have already begun their introduction. Together with the touchscreen ordering systems and cashless payment systems already being introduced, we will work to develop stores that use digital IT technologies.」

「We worked to secure sales by responding to customers' takeout and delivery needs under the new lifestyle, developing takeout-only products, introducing the new Tenshinhan (crab omelet rice) dish, and opening stores along major roads. However, due to shorter operating hours and restrictions on serving alcoholic beverages, same-store sales from March to August were 80.2% of the year-earlier period.」

「We worked to control labor costs by appropriately managing staffing levels while maintaining employment of Friend employees.」

「Newly opened stores have introduced touchscreen ordering systems from the start of operations, and existing stores are also being switched to the system sequentially. We are working to reduce store operating requirements and control labor costs.」

「Newly opened stores have introduced ticket vending machines from the start of operations, and existing stores are also being equipped with them sequentially. We are working to reduce store operating requirements and control labor costs.」

「We have manufactured key ingredients and products, including ramen, gyoza, and soup, at our own plant, working to maintain and improve quality and reduce costs.」

「We have manufactured key ingredients and products, including ramen, gyoza, and soup, at our own plant, working to maintain and improve quality and reduce costs.」

「In a business environment involving competition not only from foodservice companies but also from companies in other industries, we believe it is important to further strengthen our product appeal and build a low-cost operating model to achieve further growth.」