Sushi Revolution in Japan

Japanese sushi restaurants are undergoing a revolution. The once staid industry was ruled by small mom and pop counter restaurants where a proud sushi master ruled. Dishes were delicious, but simple and remained the same for dozens of years. But 5 customers per sushi chef and individual shops that could not centralize their purchasing and therefore bargain for better prices made sushi an expensive treat for older businessmen, or for special occasions. Even though sushi symbolized Japanese cuisine to people outside Japan, the Japanese themselves ate it just two to three times a year.

Then came the Kaiten Sushi shop, a restaurant with conveyor belt in 1952. Later the sushi robot, making the small balls of vinegared rice just as well as any sushi chef. It didn't take long before the new technology allowed sushi chains to emerge. They offered fairly good sushi at reasonable prices and allowed people to eat more sushi more often.

One of these chains, Osaka-based Kura Sushi is revolutionizing the business. The chain's publicly stated goal is to beat McDonald's worldwide as the largest chain of restaurants. It plans to do that with carefully applied and internally developed technology, literally taking a page from the hamburger giant's book.

Already sushi has become the most popular food in Japan, rising dramatically from a place much lower on the ranking lists. Many Japanese eat sushi not three times a year, as used to be, but three times a month.

Hamburger chains, take notice!

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