Zutto Sushi: From marketplace dependency to direct ordering success in South Devon

Zutto Sushi stands out in South Devon's food scene as one of the few authentic Japanese restaurants in the Torquay area. Drawing on a lifetime of experience working in high-end restaurants, Sunder created a takeaway business built on exceptional food quality and outstanding reviews.

Using premium fresh fish from nearby Brixham, a port that supplies seafood across the United Kingdom, Zutto Sushi quickly developed a loyal following. But as a family-run business handling their own deliveries, Sunder knew that relying solely on third-party marketplaces wouldn't be enough to achieve his vision of growth and eventual expansion into a full restaurant.

Challenges before Flipdish

• Relied entirely on Just Eat and Uber Eats for online orders, losing significant revenue to high commission fees.
• Wanted own branded website to build direct customer relationships but didn't know where to start.
• Needed to manage orders from multiple channels efficiently in a family-run operation.
• Had to manually stop taking orders during busy periods due to limited delivery capacity.
• Lacked the tools to convert marketplace customers into direct ordering customers.

The Flipdish fix: Building a direct ordering powerhouse

Inspired by fellow restaurant owner Chhong Sherpa from Iro Sushi, Sunder researched how successful restaurants were growing beyond marketplaces and discovered Flipdish. He started with a branded website and gradually expanded to the full ecosystem.

• Branded Website: A professional online ordering platform that gives Zutto Sushi its own digital presence independent of third-party marketplaces.
• Flipdish Point of Sale: An intuitive POS system that consolidates orders from all channels, Flipdish, Just Eat, and Uber Eats, into one easy-to-manage interface.
• Customer Conversion Strategy: Strategic use of promotional offers (30% off first orders, 6th order free) to incentivize marketplace customers to switch to direct ordering.
• Order Management: Centralized system allowing the family to efficiently handle all incoming orders regardless of source.

Flipdish products Used by Zutto Sushi

• Flipdish Point of Sale (POS) System
• Branded Website for Online Ordering
• Order Management across all channels

"Before I used to get orders only from Just Eat and Uber, now we get more orders from the Flipdish website than Just Eat and Uber Eats combined. That's how we grow." - Sunder Maharajan, Owner of Zutto Sushi

The Payoff: Taking control and driving growth

• Now receives more orders through Flipdish website than Just Eat and Uber Eats combined, dramatically reducing commission costs.
• Successfully converts marketplace customers to direct ordering using strategic leaflet placement in delivery bags.
• Consolidated order management from all channels into one simple system, making it easier for family members to handle operations.
• Built a loyal customer base with promotional offers that drive repeat business (30% off first order, 6th order free).
• Created a scalable foundation for growth, with plans to expand from takeaway to full restaurant service.
• Reduced dependency on third-party platforms while maintaining presence on them for customer acquisition.
• Improved operational efficiency by managing all orders through one unified system.

"I followed Chhong Sherpa and researched how he did it. I found out he used Flipdish to grow. So I contacted Flipdish. First I used only the website, and after that, I went to the POS and all the web ordering. And I'm growing." - Sunder

Wisdom for new business owners

For restaurant owners considering the leap from marketplace dependency to direct ordering, Sunder's advice is clear:

"Start with getting your own website. Put leaflets in your marketplace orders with special offers to get customers to order direct. I learned from other entrepreneurs—research successful restaurants and see what they're doing. Keep learning every day and don't be afraid to try new things."

What's next for Zutto Sushi

With a solid foundation of direct ordering customers and efficient operations powered by Flipdish, Sunder is ready to take the next step in his journey. Having successfully transitioned from a marketplace-dependent takeaway to a thriving direct ordering business, he's now planning to open a full restaurant.

The combination of Flipdish's integrated system and Sunder's commitment to quality has created a sustainable business model that puts him in control. As he continues to learn and grow, recently discovering Uber Direct at the Dished Live event for delivery management, Zutto Sushi is positioned to become South Devon's premier Japanese dining destination.

Ready to break free from marketplace commissions like Zutto Sushi?

Discover how Flipdish's branded website and POS system can help you take control of your orders and keep more of your hard-earned revenue. Get in touch.