Jeremy Hamblin

Todd Brooks

Jeffrey Bernstein

Jon Tower

Mark Smith

George Kelly

James Sanderson

Jim Sanderson

Matthew Curtis

Sharon Zackfia

Allison Arfstrom

Andrew Charles

Brian Mullan

Jeff Bernstein

John-Paul Wollam

Zach Ogden

- Kura Sushi USA targets a **20% restaurant-level margin or better** for fiscal 2026, anticipating **low single-digit wage inflation**.  **[1772177_2139036_2]** **[1772177_2139036_5]** 
- Strategic initiatives include a new reservation system, which seats guests within **two minutes of arrival**  **[1772177_2139036_0]** , and a record **seven to eight IP collaborations** planned for fiscal 2026 to drive sales.  **[1772177_2139036_1]** 
- A new dishwashing robot is nearing certification, expected to provide a **50 basis point labor benefit** and be retrofitted in **50 existing restaurants**.  **[1772177_2139036_4]** 
- The company's development strategy for fiscal 2026 involves a **30% new market / 70% existing market split**, with an expected **400 basis point comp headwind**, but new market discoveries could shift this to a **50/50 split** by fiscal 2027, potentially creating a **200 basis point tailwind**.  **[1772177_2139036_4]**

Kura Sushi USA Discusses Fiscal 2026 Outlook, Operational Improvements, and Growth Strategy

- Kura Sushi expects to achieve **20% restaurant-level margin or better in fiscal 2026**, supported by mitigating **25% tariffs on Japanese imports** through vendor negotiations and strategic pricing adjustments on **November 1**.  **[1772177_2138941_2]** 
- For fiscal 2026, the company plans a **record seven to eight IP collaborations** (up from a typical four to five) and will begin advertising its reservation system outside the rewards program, which has shown guests with reservations are seated within **two minutes**.  **[1772177_2138941_0]** **[1772177_2138941_1]** 
- The proprietary dishwashing robot is "phenomenally close" to certification, with plans to retrofit **50 existing restaurants** (up from five), expected to reduce labor costs by approximately **50 basis points** per restaurant.  **[1772177_2138941_4]** 
- Wage inflation has normalized to **low single-digits** by Q4 fiscal 2025 and is expected to continue into fiscal 2026, contributing to a positive labor outlook.  **[1772177_2138941_5]** 
- The company holds a strong balance sheet with approximately **$90 million in cash and investments** and anticipates becoming cash flow positive within the next **four to five years**.  **[1772177_2138941_5]**

KURA SUSHI USA Outlines Fiscal 2026 Growth and Efficiency Initiatives

- Kura Sushi USA anticipates achieving **20% restaurant-level margin or better in fiscal 2026**, supported by easing wage inflation (low single-digits by Q4 2025) and mitigation strategies for **25% tariffs on Japanese imports**.  **[1772177_2138991_2]** **[1772177_2138991_5]** 
- The company plans a record **seven to eight IP collaborations** in fiscal 2026, utilizing shorter, asset-light campaigns and a dedicated IP focus to drive sales and reduce volatility.  **[1772177_2138991_1]** **[1772177_2138991_2]** 
- Operational enhancements include a new **reservation system** to improve guest experience and loyalty program engagement, and the rollout of proprietary **dishwashing robots** to **50 existing restaurants**, expected to yield a **50 basis point labor improvement** per restaurant.  **[1772177_2138991_0]** **[1772177_2138991_4]** 
- For fiscal 2026, unit growth will be **70% existing markets and 30% new**, with an estimated **400 basis point comp headwind** from cannibalization; however, new market discoveries are expected to shift this to a **50-50 split in fiscal 2027**, resulting in a **200 basis point comp tailwind**.  **[1772177_2138991_4]**

Kura Sushi USA Outlines Fiscal 2026 Growth Drivers and Operational Improvements

KURA SUSHI USA (KRUS)