Kura Sushi USA Inc (NASDAQ: KRUS) is a Japanese restaurant company that operates technology-enabled revolving sushi restaurants across the United States. Revenue is transactional, generated entirely from food and beverage sales at company-operated restaurants, with all conveyor belt plates priced uniformly within each location. The company was established in 2008 as a subsidiary of Kura Sushi, Inc. (Kura Japan), a Japan-based chain with over 650 restaurants internationally and 45 years of brand history. Kura Japan controls 67% of combined voting power and holds a Shared Services Agreement with the U.S. entity. Headquartered in Irvine, California, Kura Sushi opened its first U.S. restaurant in 2009 and as of the 10-K filed November 6, 2025 operates 82 restaurants across 22 U.S. states and Washington, DC. Total sales were $282.8 million in fiscal year 2025 (ended August 31, 2025), up 18.9% from $237.9 million in fiscal year 2024. The company reported an operating loss of $4.8 million in fiscal year 2025, narrowed from an operating loss of $11.5 million in fiscal year 2024.
- Revenue model
- Transactional restaurant sales only. Guests pay per plate consumed from the revolving conveyor belt or ordered via tableside touch screen on-demand express belt. All conveyor belt plates are uniformly priced within a restaurant. No disclosed subscription, licensing, or franchise revenue streams.
- Products and services
- Authentic Japanese cuisine served via revolving and express conveyor belts, with approximately 130 menu items as of the FY2025 10-K. The dining format includes tableside touch screens for on-demand ordering, robots delivering drinks and condiments, anime video rewards triggered by dining milestones, and a Bikkura-Pon toy rewards machine. In-kitchen technology includes sushi robots, robotic arms, QR code readers, vinegar mixing machines, and rice washers. All food is prepared without artificial seasonings, sweeteners, colorings, or preservatives per company disclosure.
- Customers and end markets
- Direct-to-consumer dine-in restaurant guests across U.S. markets. No disclosed customer concentration. End market demand is driven by casual dining spend, consumer preference for Japanese cuisine, and family or entertainment-oriented dining occasions.
- Value-chain role
- Company-operated restaurant chain. Sources food and beverage inputs through two primary Japanese-related distributors: JFC International Inc. (a Kikkoman subsidiary), which accounted for 58% of total food and beverage costs in FY2025, and Mutual Trading Co., Inc., which accounted for 32% of total food and beverage costs in FY2025. Both relationships have been in place since 2009. Suppliers deliver to restaurants approximately three times per week. Technology, equipment, and certain operational support are provided under a Shared Services Agreement with parent Kura Japan.
- Geographic exposure
- United States only. 82 restaurants across 22 states and Washington, DC as of the 10-K filed November 6, 2025. Headquartered in Irvine, California. Parent Kura Japan is Japan-based.
Source: SEC 10-K, filed 2025-11-06
Industry:
Retail-Eating Places
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