Kura Sushi USA Sees Strong Q2 Sales, Narrows Losses

Robust traffic and pricing power drive improved margins, as the company reiterates store growth plans.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 11:08pm

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a polished, geometric sushi platter made of stainless steel, arranged elegantly on a solid white background with dramatic studio lighting and deep shadows, conceptually representing the precision and quality of Kura Sushi's food offerings.Kura Sushi's commitment to quality and innovation is reflected in the sleek, minimalist design of its signature sushi platters.Frisco Today

Kura Sushi USA reported fiscal second-quarter 2026 sales of $80.0 million, driven by stronger-than-expected comparable restaurant sales and significant labor leverage that helped narrow losses. The company reiterated its store growth plans and modestly raised full-year revenue expectations.

Why it matters

Kura Sushi's performance highlights the resilience of the Japanese-style revolving sushi restaurant concept, which has weathered pandemic-era challenges through innovative technology, strategic pricing, and disciplined cost management. The company's ability to drive traffic and improve margins signals its potential for continued expansion across the U.S.

The details

Kura Sushi reported an 8.6% increase in comparable restaurant sales, comprising 4.3% from positive traffic and 4.3% from pricing and mix. This drove a 410-basis-point improvement in labor costs as a percentage of sales. However, food and beverage costs rose to 30.4% of sales due to commodity inflation. The company posted an operating loss of $2.2 million, an improvement from a $4.6 million loss a year earlier.

  • Kura Sushi opened one restaurant during the second quarter in Frisco, Texas.
  • The company subsequently opened four more locations after quarter-end in California, Arizona, and Florida.

The players

Hajime 'Jimmy' Uba

President and CEO of Kura Sushi USA.

Jeff Uttz

Chief Financial Officer of Kura Sushi USA.

Ben Porten

Senior Vice President of Investor Relations and System Development at Kura Sushi USA.

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What they’re saying

“Kura Sushi had a 'quite strong' quarter, with 'better-than-expected comparable sales and record-breaking labor leverage.'”

— Hajime 'Jimmy' Uba, President and CEO

“We are not rushing to fill the CFO position, as we want to give the search the appropriate attention.”

— Ben Porten, Senior Vice President of Investor Relations and System Development

What’s next

The company expects to complete the first tranche of 10 robotic dishwasher installations by the end of the current fiscal quarter, which could provide an incremental 50-basis-point labor benefit in fiscal 2027.

The takeaway

Kura Sushi's strong second-quarter performance, driven by innovative technology, strategic pricing, and disciplined cost management, positions the company for continued expansion and growth in the Japanese-style revolving sushi restaurant market.