Would you invest 5% of your revenue to double your top line?

Our relationship with the client didn’t begin with a pitch. It was built over a year of strategic conversations. While an initial project we explored didn’t materialise, Layer 02 maintained a dialogue focused on operational growth, eventually partnering to deliver his new site, Saikou, in Camden.

The Camden launch was a major commercial success. Based on that operational performance, the client Gana appointed Layer 02 once again to lead the refurbishment of his 15-year-old flagship site, Yazu Sushi. Yazu was already an established, cash-flowing asset in Mayfair. For a seasoned operator, voluntarily closing a profitable site is a massive risk, and Gana had no intention of pausing trade until he saw the exact results we had delivered for him in Camden.

Because every day closed meant a direct hit to the business cash flow, the brief was brutally clear: execute a comprehensive upgrade to the physical asset, but engineer the timeline to aggressively mitigate revenue bleed during the closure. We had to deliver maximum spatial efficiency with absolute minimum operational downtime.

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Food & Design Quality that Mayfair customers queue in the rain for.

‍The existing layout of Yazu was already very efficient. Within just 270 square feet, there was little to no wasted space, so the focus was put on improving look and feel. Lighting was upgraded to create warmth and depth. Materials and textures were carefully reconsidered to achieve a more refined, high-end finish. The goal was to align the interior with the exceptional quality of the food. 

The brand already had a lot of personality. The conveyor belt would always be the focal point of the design, and the restaurant's bright plates and wine racks already gave a great deal of charm. The design adapted these elements, so the space felt considered and contemporary, without losing the charm that made it successful in the first place.

‍‍Upon reopening, the shop saw an instant increase in its revenue. The improved façade and upgraded interior strengthened curb appeal, turning what had once been a “hidden gem” into a sought-after destination. Even in the traditionally quiet months of January and February, tables were full, and people were waiting outside to get a seat. The same good food was elevated by the interior space. Its character and style made it great for photographs and social media. 

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Pre-programmed fitout cut timelines by almost 40%.

The site held a popular position in Mayfair’s Shepard Market; it had expensive rent and a great deal of overheads, so we needed to keep closure time to a minimum. While we were preparing for the construction phase, we prefabricated elements off site, and made sure they were ready to go when it was time to install.   

While fitout itself required just two weeks, a last-minute scope added to improve the window system extended the timeline slightly. Even so, the restaurant was closed for only 16 days, nearly half of the 30 days typically required for a project of this scale and work scope.

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Yazu is projected to gain 100% Increase in Revenue

‍For business owners, refurbishment isn’t about aesthetics, it’s about performance. Despite the short-term cost of closing, the owner has since seen a projected return estimated at 40 times the initial investment. The charm and heart of the business was retained, but the restaurant is busier than ever. There’s no denying it was a good investment. 

Hospitality is more competitive than ever, and great food alone isn’t always enough. 

If your space no longer reflects the quality of what you serve, a refurbishment can increase curb appeal, strengthen brand recognition, and make your marketing work harder for you.

Take our Plan Your Project assessment and we’ll be in touch to explore how we can help.