Kura Sushi USA (KRUS) 45th Annual William Blair Growth Stock Conference summary

Business overview and growth strategy

• Expanded from 20 to over 70 restaurants across 20 states and D.C. since 2019, maintaining 20%+ annual unit growth over five years.

• Operates in a highly fragmented sushi market, leveraging technology and automation for efficiency and scale.

• Focuses on value by reinvesting automation savings into lower menu prices and higher food quality.

• Menu pricing is typically about 50% lower than local competitors, supported by supply chain efficiencies.

• Annual customer studies and real-time surveys inform ongoing improvements in guest experience.

Technology and operational initiatives

• Reservation system rolled out to over 60 units, reducing wait times and improving guest planning.

• Automation, including new dish robots and touch panels, streamlines labor and enhances operational efficiency.

• Menu management and belt item selection help guide guests toward higher-margin items.

• Introduction of a half-riced option aims to reduce waste and increase plate consumption.

• Adjustments to the toy reward system make the experience more family-friendly and increase plates per person.

Marketing and customer engagement

• Increased frequency of IP collaborations, with seven to eight planned for the next fiscal year, to drive traffic and reduce sales volatility.

• Reservation system and campaign calendar expected to boost traffic, especially during peak periods.

• Ongoing consumer research identifies and addresses top guest complaints, such as wait times and reward thresholds.