Kura Sushi on its 15th Anniversary and Business Model

License Global: You have a unique business model: a revolving sushi bar with a licensed merchandise twist. How did this idea come to be?

Sally Kurosaki: Kura Sushi’s innovative business model is deeply rooted in its Japanese origins. Combining high-quality sushi with cutting-edge technology and a unique, fun dining experience has always been central to the brand’s ethos since its establishment in 1977.

Sushi is one of the most popular dishes in the United States. When we expanded into the U.S. market 15 years ago, we wanted to offer a unique restaurant service model, so guests would be able to experience dining the way that it’s enjoyed in Japan. After proven success in Japan, we implemented the dual conveyor belt system with the addition of the express belt and touch panel ordering tablets, as well as Bikkura Pon in 2015 to offer guests a more interactive dining experience. By gamifying the dining journey, we reward guests with exclusive licensed merchandise or Kura Sushi original prizes for engaging with our service, offering an experience that resonates with families, pop culture enthusiasts and fans of authentic Japanese cuisine.

Your technology is a big part of what has made Kura so successful. How has your technology developed to where it is now?

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Technology is the cornerstone of Kura Sushi’s operations, driving our ability to deliver seamless and engaging dining experiences while ensuring exceptional quality and efficiency. Over the years, we’ve implemented several innovations that define our brand.

Our unique dual conveyor system was implemented in 2015 and allows guests to quickly choose their desired plates from the revolving belt and place made-to order requests from the touch panel menu all with tableside convenience. A traditional revolving sushi bar paired with an express belt for custom orders strikes the perfect balance between Japanese dining tradition and modern convenience.

We deployed drink delivery robots in 2022 to enhance operational efficiency by delivering drinks with speed and precision and freeing up staff to focus on assisting guests. An AI-powered waitlist system was introduced in 2023 to provide more accurate wait time predictions, streamline table turnover and integrate with the Kura Sushi Rewards app to give guests real-time updates.

Our patented Mr. Fresh food safety domes preserve sushi freshness by shielding plates on the revolving sushi bar from airborne exposure while using RFID technology to monitor freshness. We’re continuing to build Mr. Fresh’s capabilities by implementing a QR-scan plate system that provides real-time consumption analytics, ensuring operational efficiency with precise demand forecasting.

These advancements automate processes while enhancing the guest experience, blending cutting-edge innovation with the authenticity of traditional Japanese dining.

Kura is celebrating its 15th anniversary. How has the brand developed over the years and leaned into licensing?

Since opening our first U.S. location in Irvine, Calif., in 2009, Kura Sushi has grown to 70 locations across 20 states and Washington, D.C. Our expansion is a testament to our ability to stay true to our Japanese roots while appealing to the diverse tastes of the U.S. market.

Licensing has become integral to our U.S. strategy, connecting with guests through exclusive Bikkura Pon prizes tied to iconic intellectual properties. Our dining experience caters to such a wide audience – couples, families and friends looking to enjoy a social lunch or dinner, as well as individuals looking for a quick bite. When determining an IP partner, we don’t limit who we work with to a particular genre because of our audience base. Traditionally, we’ve worked with Japanese and Japanese-inspired brands, though we have branched out since expanding into several new markets and are excited to see how our future collaborations will resonate with our guests and IP partner fan bases. Over the years, we’ve collaborated with beloved franchises, including Bandai Namco Entertainment America, Crunchyroll, Nintendo of America, Peanuts, Sanrio, SEGA of America and Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products, among others. These partnerships have deepened our guest relationships, establishing our restaurants as destinations for both dining and fandom.

What are some of your upcoming licensed launches and what do fans of the brand have to look forward to?

We’re excited to continue our tradition of offering exclusive licensed prizes in 2025. While specific details are under wraps, fans can anticipate collaborations with globally recognized franchises.

Looking ahead, we’re expanding into new markets and continuing to introduce limited-time menu offerings, ensuring that the Kura Sushi experience remains fresh and dynamic while maintaining our authentic Japanese flavors.

We want to thank our guests, staff and partners for their support over the past 15 years. Their loyalty has made this milestone possible, and we’re excited to continue growing and innovating together.