Digital Transformation (DX) in Skylark Group
1. DX Strategy
Skylark Group is engaged in digital transformation (DX) activities across the entire Group, with the aim of transforming business activities and realizing its Strategic Vision for 2025.
To Meet the Growing Demand for Delivery, Introduced a Dedicated Delivery Staff App to Maximize Delivery Efficiency
●By introducing a dedicated app for delivery staff that automatically displays the delivery route for each order, we aim to maximize delivery efficiency and reduce the difficulties associated with hiring delivery staff.
Improving Customer Convenience Utilizing Digital Devices
Introducing digital menu books (self-order terminals) and enhancing their functions
●Digital menu books introduced at all major brand stores, with functions being continuously expanded
- Benefits for customers: improve convenience (customers can order at any time as they please)
- Benefits for Skylark: improve store productivity by reducing workload of receiving orders and contribute to increasing guest count by improving the turnover rate
- We are also preparing to provide personalized suggestions in conjunction with the Skylark app
●Introduction of various electronic payment methods and advance payment systems
- Leads to improved convenience for customers, such as contactless payment (for in-store dining, delivery and take-out services)
Streamlining Store Operations through the Use of Digital Devices for Employees, while also Vitalizing Communication between Employees
●Improving the productivity of store back-office operations
- Installation of digital devices at stores (e.g., "Teach Me" video training tool)
- Automatically create staffing tables for each store based on customer volume forecasts
●We are implementing business reforms by promoting the use of chat rooms and web conferencing across the Group.
Measures for Driving DX
To carry out such DX activities, we are implementing the following initiatives.
- We plan to make IT investments of 6 billion yen related to improving customer convenience and store productivity and new business by the end of December 2022.
- We will renew our merchandising system to make it easier to respond to the needs for business diversification.
- To respond smoothly to mergers and acquisitions, we are shifting to cloud infrastructure and increasing the openness of our system infrastructure as a whole.
We will also further enhance information security.
2. Installation of Floor Service Robots
Skylark Group is driving the introduction of floor service robots at each of its restaurants nationwide. We plan to install 3,000 units at 2,149 restaurants by the end of 2022.
Effects of Using Floor Service Robots
- Reduced employee floor work time, contributing to increased productivity and customer service
- Improved turnover during peak hours, leading to an increase in guest count
- The use of floor service robots creates fun experiences for customers, primarily children, leading to an increase in guest count
Example of Operations Improvement: Results from Gusto Restaurants where Floor Service Robots have been Introduced
3. DX Promotion Framework
As a platform operator for the entier Group, Skylark Holdings excutes and provides DX and IT-related strategy planning and implementation (system requirements and design) and each subsidiary conducts on-site operations at stores.
Skylark Group's DX initiatives are led by the Digital Transformation Group of the IT Division of Skylark Holdings, which is a specialized unit.
We have also assigned dedicated DX personnel who are well-versed in operations to each department in order to transform headquarters and MDC (central kitchen) operations and improve productivity by providing IT solutions.
