Uchikura & Co., LLC

Komeda Coffee: Another Japanese Coffee Shop That Doesn't Rush You

 

Like Tsubakiya Coffee, Komeda Coffee challenges a common assumption in the restaurant business: higher table turnover means higher profits.

 

Komeda Coffee began in Nagoya in 1968 and has grown into one of Japan’s largest coffee shop chains.

 

But Komeda does something that may seem strange from a traditional business perspective.

 

It makes customers comfortable enough to stay.

 

The stores have large seats, table service, substantial food, and a relaxed atmosphere. Customers come for breakfast, meet friends for lunch, have coffee in the afternoon, or simply sit and talk.

 

In many businesses, a customer occupying a table for a long time is considered inefficient.

 

Komeda sees it differently.

 

Like Tsubakiya Coffee, it understands that the experience itself has value. However, the two chains approach it differently. Tsubakiya creates a more elegant, premium coffee-house experience, while Komeda creates something closer to a comfortable neighborhood living room.

 

Neither concept is built simply around selling coffee as quickly as possible.

 

They sell time, comfort, atmosphere, and a reason to return.

 

There is an important business lesson here.

 

Increasing turnover is one way to increase profit.

 

Increasing the value of the customer experience is another.