Lunch service and takeout are ramping up too! “Highly recommended for anyone who’s unsure” (Maguro to Shunsai kurofune ~Kurofune~)
At “Maguro to Shunsai kurofune ~Kurofune~” (hereafter, kurofune), they serve dishes made with fresh fish you don’t often see at other restaurants, starting with fresh tuna delivered directly from Toyosu and premium amberjack from Kagoshima. The restaurant is beloved by locals in Okayama not only for everyday dining, but also as a place to visit on special occasions.
This time, we spoke with Mr. Deguchi, the manager of kurofune, about how introducing the Respo self-ordering system has changed the restaurant and improved operational efficiency.
Creation date: 2022年12月3日
Update date: 2026年2月26日
Table of contents
Self-ordering creates opportunities for natural conversation
— What kind of customers do you tend to have the most?Our main customers are people in their late 30s and older.
Speaking of our customer base, more housing has been built in the area, so we get a lot of families, but we also have many customers who are business owners. Most of our customers are calm and well-mannered, and new visitors often tell us, “You really have a great clientele here.”
— How many people usually run the place?
Basically it’s four of us including me, and on days when reservations are full or on weekends, it’s five.
Basically it’s four of us including me, and on days when reservations are full or on weekends, it’s five.
―――Before introducing “Respo Self-Order,” what kind of ordering method were you using?
We were using another company’s touch-panel self-ordering system.
We were using another company’s touch-panel self-ordering system.
However, we had to prepare the tablets ourselves, and the mounting costs were a real concern.
While searching on the internet for some way to improve the situation, we came across “Respo Self-Order.”
While searching on the internet for some way to improve the situation, we came across “Respo Self-Order.”
―――Were there any other products you were considering?
There were two other options, but we chose Respo Self-Order because it was the most affordable.
There were two other options, but we chose Respo Self-Order because it was the most affordable.
It was overwhelmingly cheaper than other companies, so to be honest I was worried that the price might go up once options were added, but when I inquired, that wasn’t the case at all. I applied with peace of mind.
―――At kurofune, you uphold the policy that “building a shop means building people.” Did you have any concerns such as, “Won’t introducing self-ordering reduce our points of contact with customers?”
Not at all. Our restaurant also has a second floor, so first and foremost I wanted to reduce the burden on staff of having to move around just to take orders.
Not at all. Our restaurant also has a second floor, so first and foremost I wanted to reduce the burden on staff of having to move around just to take orders.
That way, we end up with some free time, right? We can use that time to check on our customers, recommend other dishes, or clear their plates, which has allowed us to initiate more contact from our side. On the other hand, customers are also approaching us more often, and it’s become easier for natural conversations to develop.
—After trying out “Respo Self-Order,” could you tell us what you liked about it?
The first thing I’d like to mention is how easy it is to change out the menu items.
The first thing I’d like to mention is how easy it is to change out the menu items.
Once you’ve taken the photo, you can swap out the menu with just a few seconds of work, so it doesn’t feel like a burden at all.
At our place, whenever we come up with a menu item that we think “might really entertain our customers,” we try it out right away. For example, the other day we added an item called “Boss, have a drink!” and put up a photo of me holding a beer. Surprisingly, it was very well received. I show up at the customer’s table with a beer in hand, and it really livens up the atmosphere.
— I’m glad to hear such positive feedback! By the way, at Kurofune, how often do you change your menu?Depending on the season, there are times when the menu changes every three days.
It’s really helpful that there’s zero stress when operating there. It’s also convenient that deleted menus remain in the archive, so you can restore them right away.
―――Please tell us about any benefits you hadn’t anticipated before implementation.
Our average customer spend has increased.
Our average customer spend has increased.
I think it’s because everyone can look at the menu on their own smartphone, so it feels easier to place orders than calling a staff member over or sharing a single tablet. For example, in the past two people might have shared one dish, but now it’s increasingly common for each person to order their own.
―――What are your thoughts on how easy the system is to use from the store’s side?
It’s very intuitive and extremely easy to use.
It’s very intuitive and extremely easy to use.
In particular, the younger staff in their teens and twenties were already using it with ease from the very first day it was introduced.
We’re also moving up the start of our lunch service and takeout!
— I heard that you’ll be starting lunch service and takeout from next January. Is that related to your introduction of Respo Self-Order?Yes, that’s right. Introducing Respo Self-Order really sped up our launch of lunch service and takeout. Originally, we were planning to start after increasing our staff a bit more.
Not only did it make rearranging the menu and handling orders more efficient, but it also lets us easily set different tax rates for takeout and eat-in for each menu item, so we decided, “With this, we can get started even with our current staff!” and went ahead with it.
―――Could you tell us if there are any ways of using it that are unique to you at kurofune?
We have an official LINE account for our shop, and thanks to having Respo Self-Order, there are more moments when customers open their smartphones. That’s made it much easier to introduce our official LINE account at just the right timing.
We have an official LINE account for our shop, and thanks to having Respo Self-Order, there are more moments when customers open their smartphones. That’s made it much easier to introduce our official LINE account at just the right timing.
Even if we just place the QR code for LINE registration on the table, customers won’t register unless we actually say something to them. But at the same time, we feel bad asking them to take out their smartphones… Now there’s no stress for either the store or the customers.
—Did the Respo self-order system catch on quickly with your customers?It caught on without any resistance at all.
These days, more and more places are using self-ordering, and everyone quickly got used to it. Apart from customers who don’t have a smartphone, almost everyone uses the self-order system.
―――How did you feel about the support you received during implementation?
They provided very attentive support, so we were able to complete the implementation in two to three weeks without any confusion.
They provided very attentive support, so we were able to complete the implementation in two to three weeks without any confusion.
At first I had the impression it might be a bit difficult, but once I actually inquired and moved forward with the implementation, there was no burden at all. If anyone is unsure about whether to introduce it, I’d like to recommend it by saying, “You can get it up and running right away.”
We want to keep bringing joy to people in our community.
— Lastly, could you tell us about the challenges you’d like to take on as a restaurant going forward?
Starting next year, we’ll be offering lunch, takeout, and delivery (via Uber Eats), so first of all we’d like to get the sales from those services on a stable footing.
Starting next year, we’ll be offering lunch, takeout, and delivery (via Uber Eats), so first of all we’d like to get the sales from those services on a stable footing.
Looking ahead, one idea we have is to develop products for online sales, such as “grilled tuna spare ribs.” In the longer term, our vision is to open a tuna-focused supermarket that local residents can drop by and use casually.
—At the root of it all, Mr. Deguchi, is your love for your hometown, isn’t it?
Yes, that’s right. To be honest, at this point I’m not really thinking about expanding to multiple locations.
Yes, that’s right. To be honest, at this point I’m not really thinking about expanding to multiple locations.
I’d like to keep doing business here for at least another 30 years.
We will continue to do our utmost to support you so that your vision, kurofune, becomes a reality. Thank you very much for your time today despite your busy schedule!
Store Information
Tuna and Seasonal Vegetables Kurofune
Address: 42-4 Kokufuichiba, Naka Ward, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture
Store details:https://autoreserve.com/restaurants/rqCVaXcSKAei8QcBzqJk
Store details:https://autoreserve.com/restaurants/rqCVaXcSKAei8QcBzqJk
