Hissho Sushi: A Leader in Fresh Food Service Logistics

Hissho Sushi was founded in 1998 and provides sushi made fresh daily with 100% responsibly sourced seafood to major grocery retailers, medical facilities, colleges/universities and corporate campuses. Today, Hissho Sushi is one of the largest sushi providers in the US, managing and operating more than 2,300 sushi bars across 44 states.

Hissho Sushi has consistently proven its strength in the industry, regularly being recognized for their year-over-year growth by Charlotte Business Journal’s Fast 50, by Inc. 5000 as one of the fastest-growing privately held companies in America, Grant Thornton’s NC 100 and Smart CEO’s Future 40, among others.

This case study delves into how Hissho Sushi further amplifies its renowned supply chain efficiency through a comprehensive partnership with MVP Logistics.

2,300 Sushi Bar Locations

Partnering for Growth: Hissho Sushi and MVP Logistics

Our relationship with Hissho Sushi began in 2018. At that time, they had 1,100 stores nationwide and anticipated growth of 36% for that year to include a total of 1,500 store locations.

At the time they had four service partners for their distribution in Charlotte, NC. They sought to have a partnership with one partner that could innovate and execute their supply chain. They wanted someone they could grow with that put a heavy focus on service, and their transportation planning, visibility and management.

44 States

Navigating Complexities in Perishable Food Supply Chains

Ensuring their products reach retailers involves several critical steps. First, raw goods are imported into Charlotte’s distribution center from points throughout the nation and worldwide. Simultaneously, products are imported to the west coast for delivery to the Mesa distribution center. This process demands extensive collaboration and communication to maintain product integrity.

  • Drayage: Products are transported from the port to distribution centers.

  • Storage: Goods are kept in temperature-controlled facilities to preserve quality.

  • Distribution: Products are distributed through multi-stop routes, sometimes involving up to 26 stops. Each delivery location has unique requirements, such as ferry transport, security clearances, appointment scheduling, short notice, and tight delivery windows.

Rapid expansion of the company by opening several new store locations made timely service and communication paramount to ensure products arrive on schedule for store openings.

Challenges

  • Competition
  • Ensuring Freshness with Perishable Food Items
  • Scaling
  • Staying Ahead of Emerging Trends

Modes

  • Imports
  • Drayage
  • Refrigerated LTL
  • Refrigerated Truckload
  • Multi-Stop

Overcoming Fresh Food Service Challenges in a Rapidly Expanding Market

Hissho Sushi initially lacked transparency in their inbound freight transportation costs, which were hidden within the cost of goods. Seeking clarity and control, they aimed to change this by gaining insight into their freight expenses.

For outbound freight, a key hurdle was streamlining order processing to enhance decision-making in carrier selection. With deliveries spanning multiple stops, the need for real-time updates per stop was crucial. They sought immediate feedback from our Transportation Management System (TMS) via email to optimize operational efficiency.

LTL services were backed up, which caused the need to expedite freight and increase costs

Solutions

  • Load Optimization
  • Business Intelligence
  • Real-Time Visibility
  • Distribution Network Expansion
  • Approval Process
  • Quarterly Pricing Guideline
  • On-Site Project Oversight
  • Weekly Collaborative Meetings

Data-Driven Decisions: Enhancing Food Supply Chain Visibility

MVP Logistics took charge of optimizing load operations for Hissho Sushi to enhance decision-making. By implementing a business intelligence platform with PowerBI and MacroPoint, we enabled real-time visibility into critical KPIs. Our solutions provided Hissho with instant delivery acknowledgments, labor planning tools, cost analysis dashboards, and more.

Expanding Distribution Networks While Controlling Costs in Food Service

In a strategic move to enhance service efficiency and market reach, Hissho Sushi embarked on an expansion of their distribution network. Originally centralized in North Carolina (NC), the objective was to include Arizona (AZ) as a key distribution hub. This decision was aimed at addressing the evolving needs of target markets and capturing growth opportunities.

The primary goal was to extend the distribution footprint without compromising cost-effectiveness. It was imperative to maintain the delivered cost per pallet below a pre-determined threshold, ensuring that expansion did not erode profitability or customer satisfaction.

To determine the best strategy for this distribution network MVP Logistics looked at several different areas.

  1. Market Analysis: An in-depth analysis of current and prospective markets was conducted to identify areas with significant growth potential. This evaluation focused on demographic trends, consumer behavior, and logistical considerations.
  2. Cost-Benefit Evaluation: Rigorous cost analysis ensured the financial viability of establishing a distribution center in AZ. Factors considered included real estate, labor, transportation, and operational efficiencies.
  3. Logistics Optimization: By analyzing shipping patterns and volumes, we developed a logistics model that maximized distribution efficiency. The proximity of the AZ warehouse to key markets allowed for reduced lead times and lower transportation costs.
  4. Performance Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of delivered cost per pallet was established to ensure adherence to budget constraints. Key performance indicators (KPIs) were set to evaluate the effectiveness of the AZ hub in meeting strategic objectives.

Measurable Results: Improving Efficiency in Fresh Food Logistics

To mitigate cost volatility, we instituted a rigorous approval process for expenses exceeding 15% of the original quoted truck rate, addressing the critical need for rapid pickups and deliveries on short notice.

Furthermore, we instituted a quarterly pricing guideline to establish clear benchmarks and pricing stability, which facilitated a reduction of 5-7% in previous per-mile rates and yielded a 13% savings on outbound transportation costs since assuming control of their account. Additionally, we achieved a $500 saving per inbound container from port to door and relocated shipments from three state locations to a new distribution center in Arizona, resulting in a net savings of $15,000. Our strategic improvements also led to nearly 100 additional deliveries at $75 less per pallet compared to the previous year.

To eliminate communication issues, we deployed an on-site employee at Hissho’s Charlotte location, significantly enhancing customer service and operational coordination. By conducting weekly meetings, we maintained proactive oversight of cost fluctuations and promptly addressed any service-related concerns. This strategic decision fostered more effective communication and ensured consistent alignment between our teams.

Our strategic partnership, combined with our deep industry knowledge and a highly skilled team, significantly enhanced Hissho’s customer experience. We played a crucial role in optimizing their logistics during periods of record-breaking sales. Our solutions enabled Hissho Sushi to confidently expand to new locations with minimal lead time, demonstrating the scalability and reliability of our logistics operations.

Optimize Your Food Service Supply Chain

Are you facing similar challenges in your food and beverage distribution? Learn how MVP Logistics can transform your supply chain efficiency and support your company’s growth.

Schedule a Consultation: Book a discovery call with our logistics experts to discuss your specific needs.

Request a Custom Analysis: Let us review your current supply chain and provide tailored recommendations for improvement.

Contact us today to take the first step towards revolutionizing your food service logistics.