How Ichi Group drove 6,000 additional covers through remarketing campaigns

Fast facts

	Restaurant name: Ichi Group
	Type of restaurant: Restaurant group
	Locations: Fitzroy, Melbourne
	Year founded: 2008

The Ichi Group is a family-run restaurant brand, presenting a premium Izakaya experience in two prominent Melbourne neighbourhoods – Ichi Ni in St Kilda and Ichi Ni Nana in Fitzroy. Not entirely traditional, not entirely fusion-Japanese, Ichi Group strikes a carefully curated balance of both. From sushi to robatayaki, everyone has something that they can eat on the menu.

Despite already having reliable first-time diners, the innovative restaurateurs behind Melbourne’s renowned Ichi Group were eager to reach new demographics. Additionally, Ichi Group set the goal of inspiring brand loyalty and increasing the number of repeat diners welcomed each month.

This is where OpenTable for Restaurants came into play. According to Ichi Group’s Chief Operating Officer, Jake Sofo, “OpenTable as a collaborator with the Ichi Group has allowed us to build something unique, special, and at the forefront of hospitality in Melbourne.”

Armed with OpenTable’s restaurant management software, Ichi Group has maximised bookings, streamlined operations, enhanced customer service, and paved the way for future growth.

Fast facts

	Restaurant name: Ichi Group
	Type of restaurant: Restaurant group
	Locations: Fitzroy, Melbourne
	Year founded: 2008

The Ichi Group is a family-run restaurant brand, presenting a premium Izakaya experience in two prominent Melbourne neighbourhoods – Ichi Ni in St Kilda and Ichi Ni Nana in Fitzroy. Not entirely traditional, not entirely fusion-Japanese, Ichi Group strikes a carefully curated balance of both. From sushi to robatayaki, everyone has something that they can eat on the menu.

Despite already having reliable first-time diners, the innovative restaurateurs behind Melbourne’s renowned Ichi Group were eager to reach new demographics. Additionally, Ichi Group set the goal of inspiring brand loyalty and increasing the number of repeat diners welcomed each month.

This is where OpenTable for Restaurants came into play. According to Ichi Group’s Chief Operating Officer, Jake Sofo, “OpenTable as a collaborator with the Ichi Group has allowed us to build something unique, special, and at the forefront of hospitality in Melbourne.”

Armed with OpenTable’s restaurant management software, Ichi Group has maximised bookings, streamlined operations, enhanced customer service, and paved the way for future growth.

OpenTable’s Restaurant Management System Makes Busy Nights a Breeze

On a busy night, Ichi Ni Nana serves diners on 3 levels of the restaurant, with around 40 staff on shift at any given time. Working with the table management system from OpenTable, Ichi Group was able to maximise every booking and get full value out of every hour. Remarketing through the system also brought in 6,000 additional covers over a 12-month period.

Every moment of the dining experience – from booking to the final farewell – can be effortlessly managed through OpenTable. With OpenTable’s easy-to-use platform, staff have a visual representation of the timeline of each booking. This feature empowers them with a greater sense of control, allowing them to prepare for every turnover.

This seemingly simple element has a profound impact on the overall dining process. It naturally streamlines the operations, reducing the time and effort required by restaurant staff to manage table turnovers. Ichi Group’s General Manager, Chris Grant, says he has “never experienced a restaurant or venue anywhere that would be able to do that without OpenTable.” It’s a win-win situation for everyone involved.

Effective Restaurant Reservation Software Without the Learning Curve

OpenTable’s restaurant management software is designed to deliver big results without placing any extra demands on staff. iPads in hand, they can navigate the table management system with ease. According to Chris, “a day-to-day staff member can operate OpenTable after an hour of training.” Once they’ve got the hang of it, Ichi Group’s COO Jake Sofo noticed that “they find it really fun and easy to use.”

Ichi Group and OpenTable’s Restaurant Management Software: A Recipe for Success

According to Jake, OpenTable’s restaurant management software has allowed Ichi Group to build the enterprise into a far more efficient and well-oiled machine than they ever thought possible. The system is designed with hospitality workers in mind, and this shines through in the conclusion drawn by Jake: “We love the team, the system, the software – everything. We couldn’t work with any other product but OpenTable.”

OpenTable’s Restaurant Management System Makes Busy Nights a Breeze

On a busy night, Ichi Ni Nana serves diners on 3 levels of the restaurant, with around 40 staff on shift at any given time. Working with the table management system from OpenTable, Ichi Group was able to maximise every booking and get full value out of every hour. Remarketing through the system also brought in 6,000 additional covers over a 12-month period.

Every moment of the dining experience – from booking to the final farewell – can be effortlessly managed through OpenTable. With OpenTable’s easy-to-use platform, staff have a visual representation of the timeline of each booking. This feature empowers them with a greater sense of control, allowing them to prepare for every turnover.

This seemingly simple element has a profound impact on the overall dining process. It naturally streamlines the operations, reducing the time and effort required by restaurant staff to manage table turnovers. Ichi Group’s General Manager, Chris Grant, says he has “never experienced a restaurant or venue anywhere that would be able to do that without OpenTable.” It’s a win-win situation for everyone involved.

Effective Restaurant Reservation Software Without the Learning Curve

OpenTable’s restaurant management software is designed to deliver big results without placing any extra demands on staff. iPads in hand, they can navigate the table management system with ease. According to Chris, “a day-to-day staff member can operate OpenTable after an hour of training.” Once they’ve got the hang of it, Ichi Group’s COO Jake Sofo noticed that “they find it really fun and easy to use.”

Ichi Group and OpenTable’s Restaurant Management Software: A Recipe for Success

According to Jake, OpenTable’s restaurant management software has allowed Ichi Group to build the enterprise into a far more efficient and well-oiled machine than they ever thought possible. The system is designed with hospitality workers in mind, and this shines through in the conclusion drawn by Jake: “We love the team, the system, the software – everything. We couldn’t work with any other product but OpenTable.”

“We love the team, the system, the software – everything. We couldn’t work with any other product but OpenTable.”

Jake Sofo, Chief Operating Officer
Ichi Group

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