Reducing workload and building customer relationships: What are the benefits of leveraging digital strengths with a one-person operation? (Aola / Aola Ogikubo Café)
This time, we spoke with Mr. Kudo, the owner of Aola, a sandwich-focused café in Ogikubo where you can also enjoy drinks. He runs the entire 17-seat shop by himself. In his previous job, he had implemented a different service, but we asked him why he chose to introduce Respo Self-Order this time and how it has made his daily operations easier.
Creation date: 2023年7月12日
Update date: 2026年2月26日
Table of contents
We adopted it because the features were sufficient and the price was the deciding factor.
—Please tell us about your shop.
We have 5 counter seats and 12 table seats, for a total of 17. Our customers range widely in age from their 20s to their 80s, and about 90% are women. Over 90% of guests come alone or in pairs. At lunchtime we serve lunch and café-style items, and in the evening we offer alcohol and snacks, with the focus mainly on drinks.
We have 5 counter seats and 12 table seats, for a total of 17. Our customers range widely in age from their 20s to their 80s, and about 90% are women. Over 90% of guests come alone or in pairs. At lunchtime we serve lunch and café-style items, and in the evening we offer alcohol and snacks, with the focus mainly on drinks.
— Please tell us why you decided to introduce it.
At my previous job we had also implemented a self-ordering system like this, so from the time we started preparing to open the restaurant, I was thinking of introducing some kind of system. We chose Respo Self-Order because, among the several options we compared, it had all the necessary features and was reasonably priced.
At my previous job we had also implemented a self-ordering system like this, so from the time we started preparing to open the restaurant, I was thinking of introducing some kind of system. We chose Respo Self-Order because, among the several options we compared, it had all the necessary features and was reasonably priced.
The system we used before made analysis easier, but since I run the shop by myself, I can usually grasp things by feel, so I figured as long as it has self-ordering and payment functions, that’s more than enough.
During peak hours, Respo Self-Order is my emotional support.
— How are you using it?
We mainly use the handy terminal function and POS function of Respo Self-Order. We try to take orders verbally as much as possible so we can communicate with our customers, and in that process it’s easy to understand because everything from the orders entered on the handy terminal through to payment is all reflected in the POS function.
We mainly use the handy terminal function and POS function of Respo Self-Order. We try to take orders verbally as much as possible so we can communicate with our customers, and in that process it’s easy to understand because everything from the orders entered on the handy terminal through to payment is all reflected in the POS function.
— What aspects do you find convenient?
Usually, only about ten percent of our customers place their orders using self-ordering, but when we’re especially busy, we encourage customers as much as possible to use it. It really helps because we don’t have to keep customers waiting or stop in the middle of cooking. Having self-ordering available gives us a great sense of reassurance when things get hectic.
Usually, only about ten percent of our customers place their orders using self-ordering, but when we’re especially busy, we encourage customers as much as possible to use it. It really helps because we don’t have to keep customers waiting or stop in the middle of cooking. Having self-ordering available gives us a great sense of reassurance when things get hectic.
Since digital records are kept, it also helps build relationships with customers.
— What are the benefits of using digital tools like these?
The main benefit is that records are kept. We can tell whether a customer is visiting us for the first time or is a repeat customer. I can remember customers who have been here two or more times, but I can’t always remember if it’s their first visit, so this really helps.
The main benefit is that records are kept. We can tell whether a customer is visiting us for the first time or is a repeat customer. I can remember customers who have been here two or more times, but I can’t always remember if it’s their first visit, so this really helps.
Also, it’s great that the POS functions are so comprehensive. Closing out the register has become much easier. Without a system like this, we’d have to total up handwritten order slips and reconcile them with the cash and card payment amounts, which takes a huge amount of work and is extremely tough when you’re operating alone. Now Respo Self-Order handles all of that, and especially because it has a built-in POS function, things have become much easier.
— How would you like to make use of digital technology going forward?
I’d like to systematize the accounting work as well. Since I’m running everything by myself, I have to choose which tasks to prioritize. I really want to focus on communicating with customers and on cooking, so it would be great if the accounting tasks could be automated or even made unmanned.
I’d like to systematize the accounting work as well. Since I’m running everything by myself, I have to choose which tasks to prioritize. I really want to focus on communicating with customers and on cooking, so it would be great if the accounting tasks could be automated or even made unmanned.
Store Information
Aola / Aora Ogikubo Cafe
Address: 3-30-41 Amanuma, Suginami-ku, Tokyo
Phone number: 03-4361-4743
Store details:https://autoreserve.com/restaurants/jc6LemrMb5BSm6UD6mgL
Phone number: 03-4361-4743
Store details:https://autoreserve.com/restaurants/jc6LemrMb5BSm6UD6mgL
