Kura to bring conveyor belt sushi to Richmond
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Kura Revolving Sushi Bar is opening its first Richmond location in Short Pump this fall, BizSense scooped this week.
Why it matters: At Kura, the food is delivered on a conveyor belt, the drinks come via robot and diners can win prizes for stuffing their face.
State of play: The California-based sushi chain is in the works in the former Persis Indian Grill spot in the Trader Joe's shopping center off Broad, per BizSense.
- It'll be the second location in Virginia (there's one in Tysons) and one of nearly 100 open or in the works nationwide.
- Lucky for us, plenty of Kuras have recently opened in other Axios Local cities, so we've got more deets from our colleagues.
How it works: A long conveyor belt winds throughout the restaurant, carrying small plates of food and passing by each table, Axios Indianapolis reports.
- Diners open clear plastic pods as they pass, plucking dishes — usually two or three pieces of nigiri or rolls — that start at around $3.75 each.
- Empty plates are discarded through a slot at each table, where they're counted toward the final bill.
- Its robotic system, dubbed "Mr. Fresh," cycles out plates so diners aren't watching the same roll loop around endlessly, Axios Boulder reports.
Wait, there's more: Every 15 plates dropped into the slot earns a toy charm delivered to your table. Keep eating and you'll get another, Axios Salt Lake City reports.
- Drinks are also served via robot — a musical waiter named Kur-B, per Axios Chicago — that wheels around the dining room.
What's next: The Richmond location should open this fall.