Challenge
Akiba wanted to generate consistent, positive reviews and maintain a high rating. They started with a 4.1- star average and lacked a system to organically grow reviews without appearing pushy (which they were at the time). Akiba recognized the need for a fresh approach to stand out in a competitive market.
Solution
The first step was elevating the guest experience. We focused on training the staff to deliver exceptional hospitality every single time. Here’s how:
- Training the Team: Akiba’s team was taught how to create meaningful connections with guests—getting to know them, anticipating their needs, and adding personal touches to every interaction.
- Systemizing Consistency: We implemented systems to ensure every guest received the same high-level experience. From the greeting to the goodbye, nothing was left to chance.
Once the experience was consistent, we introduced a review system:
- Staff were trained to simply ask for a review at the end of the meal—but only if they felt they’d earned it.
- The goal was to give Akiba‘s guests such an incredible experience that they wanted to leave a review. No name-dropping, no being pushy, just a natural, confident request: “If you enjoyed your time, we’d love it if you could share your experience online.”
Results
- Consistently achieved 50+ reviews weekly, with peaks of 100+ reviews in a single week, all rated 4.7 or better.
- Improved their rating from 4.1 to 4.5 stars within weeks.
- Staff engagement and confidence improved as they took pride in the consistent feedback from guests.
At 30 Percent Rule, we loved working with Akiba to help them grow their reputation and connect with their guests in a more meaningful way. Watching their ratings improve and seeing their confidence grow was incredibly rewarding for us. Helping Akiba stand out in such a competitive industry felt like a shared victory—and it’s moments like these that make restaurant consulting and training worth it.
Next up on the case studies is how we helped Xica boost sales as their trusted restaurant consultant.
