Conveyor belt sushi, a convenient way to enjoy sushi, has now become part of Japan’s food culture.
When did the history of Kura Sushi, a robot-based conveyor belt sushi chain that is one of the most representative conveyor belt sushi restaurants, begin?
This time, we will focus on the history of Kura Sushi, and introduce its changes up to the present and its prospects for the future.
History of Kura Sushi
The beginning of Kura Sushi
The predecessor of Kura Sushi was a privately run sushi restaurant opened in Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture in 1977 by founder Kunihiko Tanaka.
In 1984, they called themselves “Kura Sushi Kura” and opened their first store in Nakamozu, Sakai City. They entered the conveyor belt sushi business and established Kura Corporation Co., Ltd. (currently Kura Sushi Co., Ltd.) in 1995.
When we first transitioned to conveyor belt sushi, there were only counter seats, which made it difficult for families to use, but this was resolved by introducing box seats and E-shaped lanes in 1987.
In this way, the image of “Kura Sushi” as a sushi restaurant where families with children gathered was created, and in 2001 the company was listed on the Osaka Stock Exchange NASDAQ Japan market, in 2004 it was listed on the second section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, and in 2005. is listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
It will play a role in the industry as the largest conveyor belt sushi chain, along with other robot conveyor belt sushi restaurants such as Sushiro, Kappa Sushi, and Hama Sushi.
The founder’s thoughts behind the name
Kura Sushi has become a huge success by attracting families.
The thoughts of the founder, Mr. Tanaka, are condensed into the form of a sushi restaurant where children can gather together.
Mr. Tanaka’s hometown is a town near Kurashiki City, Okayama City.
The name of the restaurant reflects the desire that the children who serve Kurazushi would like to feel the same sense of elation that they felt when they were children in Kurashiki City, which is known as the city of storehouses. I am.
Changes and strengths of Kura Sushi
Kura Sushi uses an automatic plate counting water collection system, Bikkura Pon! , touch panels, sushi cap freshness-kun, and other unique systems were introduced one after another.
How did Kura Sushi’s innovative mechanisms and systems come to be developed? Let’s take a closer look at the background.
Developing unique systems one after another
When the conveyor belt sushi restaurant first opened, there were many flaws in the ordering system, and there were constant problems such as food being delivered to someone other than the person who ordered it. Therefore, we made technological innovations, introduced a dedicated order panel and order lanes, and completed a system in which food is delivered correctly and quickly to customers.
Hygiene technology has also been updated.
There are many systemized processes, such as collecting used plates using running water and automatically disposing of sushi after a certain period of time.
These systems, which not only ensure food safety but also improve manpower efficiency, are unique to Kura Sushi.
Groundbreaking and diverse endeavors led to success in business expansion.
Marketing power that values customer feedback
One of the characteristics of Kura Sushi is that it utilizes customer feedback.
For example, the used plate collection system was created after female customers expressed embarrassment about leaving empty plates on the table.
There are many other ideas that have been developed based on customer feedback.
In response to complaints that “it’s not hygienic for sushi to be washed down the lane with the sushi exposed,” caps began to be placed on sushi plates.
It can be said that the uniqueness of Kura Sushi was born as a result of listening to customer feedback one by one.
Rationality can also improve the food waste problem
Do you go to a conveyor belt sushi restaurant and eat the sushi that is floating on the lane?
Or would you like to order from the touch panel?
In most conveyor belt chains, the ratio of the former to the latter is said to be 3:7.
On the other hand, in Kura Sushi, this ratio is 5:5.
Since sushi can be served more efficiently, it also has the advantage of reducing food waste, which is a hot topic these days.
Emphasis on entertainment
The company is also famous for its services that embody the founder’s passion for children.
“Bikkurapon” is a service that is very popular among children, where five finished plates can be used as lottery tickets.
This service, in which you can win prizes if you win, has become very popular for its entertainment value.
Collaboration projects with anime characters have become a hot topic in recent years, and there is no shortage of families coming to the store to win prizes.
Kura Sushi’s business expansion accelerates, including overseas expansion
Kura Sushi has expanded into the United States and Taiwan, and despite the coronavirus pandemic, continues to steadily increase openings overseas.
In the United States, where we have already opened more than 10 stores, we are planning to expand to more states, and we are also planning to open a store in Shanghai, China, around the summer of 2023.
In the future, with the recovery in demand for eating out after the coronavirus pandemic and the revival of inbound tourism, the pace of overseas store openings is likely to accelerate, and business expansion in overseas markets is expected.
In 2022, Kurakura Sushi will carry out price increases that it had not done for a long time, and overcome the unprecedented crisis of the coronavirus pandemic.
In the future, as demand recovers, competition for survival with other major conveyor belt sushi chains such as Sushiro will become fiercer.
Unsweetened sushi spreads around the world
History of Kura Sushi.
It may be said that this is the result of continuous development that resulted from continuing to respond to the needs of the times and the voices of users.
Kura Sushi has grown as a result of founder Mr. Tanaka’s desire for customers to eat with peace of mind and enjoy their food.
The great appeal of Kura Sushi is that it is not only about food safety and work efficiency, but also because it is extremely entertaining.
Keep an eye on Kura Sushi’s strategy as it continues to expand its number of stores both domestically and internationally.
