Case Study: Kura Sushi USA improves store-opening visibility and collaboration with Smartsheet

Kura Sushi USA streamlines store openings with Smartsheet, supporting 20% annual store growth

Kura Sushi USA, the American subsidiary of a leading Japanese casual sushi chain, faced a challenge in managing its rapid annual store expansion. As store opening projects and staff multiplied, departments relied on separate Excel sheets, which hindered cross-departmental visibility and coordination for complex opening processes involving real estate, construction, staffing, and accounting. To strengthen project management, the company turned to the Smartsheet platform.

Implementing Smartsheet provided a shared, easy-to-learn platform that enhanced workflow transparency and schedule coordination across four key departments. The solution centralized information, allowed secure sharing of documents like floor plans with external contractors, and reduced unnecessary inquiries. Smartsheet contributed to smoother, more stable store opening operations, supporting Kura Sushi USA's growth which included a 17% annual sales increase and a planned 20% increase in annual store openings.