Restaurant chain uses analytics to reduce costs while improving sales

Restaurant chain uses analytics to reduce costs while improving sales

YO! Sushi restaurants are using IBM business analytics software to help improve sales, customer service and streamline operations.

With IBM business analytics, YO! Sushi restaurants can more effectively monitor the business operations of its UK stores, including their sales targets, revenue and customer promotions. For instance, by identifying best-selling sushi dishes, restaurant managers can place more accurate orders which avoids unnecessary food waste.

YO! Sushi can now gain more granular analysis of sales trends for how individual types of food products are selling, to increase the most popular and profitable lines.

Another benefit has been the ability to improve customer service during busy times by ensuring the correct numbers of staff are working the correct number of hours in the restaurants.

Making sense of complex data

“The IBM system is able to decode complex data into a form that can help forecast sales trends that have a real impact on how YO! Sushi operates,” said Billy Waters, YO! Sushi IT manager.

“More accurate sales projections are able to deliver more visibility of the sales in individual stores. This allows us to track guest habits and plan our price and product promotions throughout the year taking into account quieter periods and peak sales times."

Founded in 1997, YO! Sushi brought the iconic Japanese ‘kaiten’ sushi bar that delivers food to customers via a conveyor belt to sushi enthusiasts across the globe. YO! Sushi now has 68 local branches across the UK, Ireland, Portugal and the Middle East.

The IBM business analytics system is powered by IBM Cognos business intelligence software, with maintenance provided by IBM business partner, Change++.