That’s the premise for the new ordering service YO! Sushi will be offering at its latest airport restaurant, opening at Heathrow T2 next year.
For those wanting to dine in at the 65-cover venue, any hot food or bespoke orders can be taken by YO! Sushi’s team of ‘kitchen ninjas’, who will use a tablet to place the order directly with the kitchen.
“YO! Sushi’s work to develop an offer specific to passengers about to fly has been impressive,” said Heathrow’s retail director Muriel Zingraff. “They have a refreshing approach to healthy eating which we felt suited Heathrow’s work to transform the dining experience for travellers.”
The new restaurant, which is expected to open in June 2014, will also showcase an exclusive range of set menus to give passengers the option of a ‘wellness meal’ before a long-haul flight. The Wellness Menu will offer various nutritional benefits ‘to aid a comfortable journey’, such as omega 3 oil found in the sashimi.
Serving up more than 80 different dishes on YO! Sushi’s signature ‘kaiten’ conveyor belt, travellers will be able to choose from a range of Japanese-inspired items including hot food such as soups, rice and noodle-based dishes; and cold items like the YO! Roll.
Alison Vickers, the group’s business development director, explained that she was keen to expand YO! Sushi’s offering at airport terminals. “Our existing site in Terminal 3 has been a key factor to the success of the brand in the UK,” she said. “Our fun, fresh and fast menu options are proving a hit with international passengers who are strapped for time so our Terminal 2 restaurant design and service reflects this.”
Technology drives sales
The innovative technology offering at the planed Heathrow restaurant is representative of YO! Sushi’s on-going work to exploit the potential of mobile technology. The Group recently partnered with EPoS provider Omnico, to develop handheld device-based software to support its fun and informal service style.
Omnico’s ClarityLive Mobile software is now run on handheld devices, allowing YO! Sushi staff to capture and track orders electronically, improving opportunities for customer engagement and upselling.
The below video shows the benefit that such technological advancements have brought for the sushi chain, including an interview with founder and chief executive Robin Rowland.
YO! Sushi now operates 77 restaurants in 7 countries; 64 in the UK and 13 franchised overseas in Lisbon, Dublin, Norway, Bahrain, KSA, Dubai and the US. Headquartered in London, the restaurant chain is privately owned by Quilvest and the YO! Sushi senior management team.