Verdict Food Service

Daily Newsletter

10 August 2023

Daily Newsletter

Japanese restaurant Ramen Arashi extends its Canada presence

The new site will be opened by the restaurant’s ex-employee Shiori Hamasaki and Ryota Okada, a former business owner from Japan.

Canada-based Japanese restaurant chain Ramen Arashi is set to open a new outlet in Kelowna, British Columbia, on 5 September 2023.

It will be the brand’s fourth site in the country, with the other three restaurants located in Banff and Canmore in Alberta and Victoria in British Columbia.

The restaurant’s newest location is being opened by its former employee Shiori Hamasaki and Japanese former electrician and business owner Ryota Okada.

Originally from Japan, the duo met in Australia and later came to Canada.

Shiori, who is from the Fukuoka prefecture, worked at the Ramen Arashi restaurant in Canmore. This will be her first business launch just four years after relocating to Canada.

Ryota was introduced to Ramen Arashi after being served a bowl of ramen by the owner of the Canmore store and deciding to embark on a three-year apprenticeship to learn how to prepare the dish.

Ramen Arashi owner Allan Nichols said: “We have closely collaborated with Shiori and Ryota to recreate the beloved dishes that have captivated customers in Banff, Canmore and Victoria. We are confident that the people of Kelowna will appreciate the authenticity and quality that Ramen Arashi offers.”

Shiori stated: “We are thrilled to call Kelowna our new home. The stunning landscape, access to fresh produce, exceptional wineries and the people's kindness have drawn us here.

“Opening a Ramen Arashi in this beautiful city is an incredible opportunity to introduce the community to a taste of my home.”

Generative AI remains an untapped potential across the consumer industry

GlobalData estimates the total AI market will be worth $909 billion in 2030, growing at a CAGR of 35.2% between 2022 and 2030. The consumer goods, foodservice, and packaging sectors are undergoing digital transformation, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic and changing consumer preferences. AI can help companies operating in these sectors by significantly reducing costs and production times. In Nestlé's 2022 full-year results, the company announced a renewed focus on digitalization to drive growth. Financial and reputational pressures associated with supply chain disruptions and sustainability concerns are also driving interest in the digitalization of supply chains. Data science and ML are strong investments across all areas. However, the sectors cannot stop at AI-powered data analytics applications. They must also explore computer vision (CV), smart robots, AI sensors that automate manufacturing and distribution logistics, and generative AI tools that increase efficiency across corporate departments and customer service operations and enable innovation in product design. For the most part, the consumer goods, foodservice, and packaging sectors will not play a significant role in creating and developing AI hardware or platforms. Instead, these sectors will help scale up the adoption of AI technologies, such as CV, conversational platforms, and smart robots. This adoption will be driven by the financial benefits and potential cost savings AI automation delivers across global supply chains.