How to Grow Sales in Your Sushi Restaurant

That’s an exciting and achievable dream, as long as you do diligent research beforehand and set S.M.A.R.T (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, timely) goals for yourself. In this post, we’ll review some factors that are specifically important for sushi restaurants, and how a Total Touch point of sale system can help your business thrive. Let’s roll!

Factors that Can Make or Break Your Sushi Restaurant

Sushi is one of the most popular international dishes in the United States. In fact, there are more than 4,000 sushi restaurants across the country, each with something unique to offer hungry diners. Although it was introduced to western culture shortly after World War II, sushi did not start gaining true popularity until the late 1960s.

Throughout the years, the sushi and Japanese restaurant industry in the United States has seen its share of praise and aversion. Much of this aversion has been due to cases of illness caused by consuming raw fish. This brings us to the first important factor to keep in mind when starting your sushi restaurant – food safety. 

Choose a Local Supplier for Seafood Safety

Because many of your sushi shop dishes will include raw fish, it’s important to make sure that you work with food distributors who practice safe food handling. According to KaTom Restaurant Supply, “The most reliable way to source safe, fresh seafood is to get to know your supplier”. If possible, choose a local Japanese restaurant supplier that only handles seafood. This may come with an added expense, but it’s best for you and your customers in the long run. It’s also a good idea to build a positive relationship with your supplier and understand how they handle the fish, crab, and shrimp before you receive it. 

Licenses and Permits

To own a sushi shop, you will be required to have more licenses and permits than a typical business. This is because you’ll be serving a raw seafood menu.

You’ll need general business licenses, an Employer ID Number from the IRS, and worker’s compensation insurance through your state. These are required for all businesses.

You will also need to obtain food-specific permits such as a food handler’s license, register with the Department of Health, and will be required to have beer and liquor licenses if you plan to serve those items. Research the requirements for your state to make sure you are properly licensed-up before opening your doors.

Equipment to Build Your Sushi Restaurant

All restaurants need the proper equipment to serve their diners the best possible meal. However, your essential equipment will vary from that of other restaurants because of the nature of your menu. Consider purchasing the following equipment:

• A sushi case with refrigeration 
• Cutting boards
• Japanese knives (deba and sashimi knives are designed for preparing fish)
• Rice cooker 
• Deep fryer if you plan to serve tempura or other fried dishes
• Wok range and woks if you plan to serve traditional stir fry
• Grill and broiler for preparing meats
  

Hire an Experienced Chef

A talented chef who has sushi industry experience will be imperative to your restaurant. It takes many years for a chef to learn skills needed to prepare sushi properly and handle raw ingredients. You’ll want to make sure you hire a chef with plenty of creativity and experience to help train future staff and keep your restaurant running smoothly. 

Create a Marketing Plan for your Sushi Restaurant

If you think creating a marketing plan for your sushi restaurant is overwhelming, these resources can get you started:

• Restaurant Marketing Plan – How to Plan for Success and Boost Business
• Three Must-Have Strategies for Restaurant Marketing
• Creating a Restaurant Recovery Marketing Plan
  

How to Build a Customized Menu & Grow Your Sushi Restaurant

To have the very best chance at success, you need a comprehensive point of sale system designed to serve sushi restaurants. Total Touch® is a powerful, simple point of sale solution that is designed to help you manage your business and provide the best dining experience possible. Keep reading to discover a few of the ways this point of sale solution can help you build a customized menu and ultimately grow your sushi business.

How will you attract sushi lovers and give them a dining experience that makes them want to return? One way is through offering a unique, build-your-own sushi menu. That way, your diners can order exactly what they are craving. However, customized orders can get tricky if your POS isn’t properly equipped for customizable meals. Orders can be confused and miscommunications can happen, which can end up being a dangerous liability, especially if the customer has a food allergy.

Total Touch allows you to build and customize your sushi or seafood menu within the software. This will especially come in handy for your restaurant because it will allow your customers to create their perfect sushi roll, completely hassle-free! Plus, you are in control of the custom options within your menu, which will make the order process faster and help to eliminate communication issues. All these features and more are designed to grow your restaurant and sales! Click here to visit the Total Touch POS YouTube channel and watch our tutorials on building your menu and adding custom modifiers.

Total Touch is also equipped to serve you and your customers in the current socially distant climate. We offer integrated solutions for online ordering and delivery, along with order and pay-at-the-table technology. These features are designed to help your restaurant increase efficiency and improve profit, but more importantly, to safely serve your customers.

For more tips to help your restaurant business navigate current challenges, check out these posts:

• How to Reassure Diners Before They Walk in the Door
• How to Get Customers to Follow Safety Precautions
  

Would you like to learn more about Total Touch and how it can help your sushi restaurant thrive? Contact us or find your nearest Dealer today!

Sources: KaTom Restaurant Supply, Roka Akor, URoll Sushi