Expanding from 100 to 300 Employees During the Pandemic: Nagoya's 'Good Crew Dining' Launches 'Zutto Crew Project'

Good Crew Dining Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Nagoya, Aichi; CEO: Satoshi Iwata), which operates 37 Japanese-style izakaya restaurants in Nagoya, launched the 'Zutto Crew Project' on May 27, 2026, to create a workplace where employees can remain 'good crew' members for the long term. As a core initiative, the company has started operating 'crew LINE,' a unique talent platform open to all current employees, part-timers, and alumni.

The food and beverage industry has long suffered from labor shortages and high turnover rates. According to Teikoku Databank's April 2025 survey, 65.3% of restaurants reported a shortage of non-regular staff, the highest among all industries. Furthermore, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's 2023 survey shows a turnover rate of 26.6% in the accommodation and food service sector, approximately 1.7 times the national average of 15.4%. In contrast, Good Crew Dining maintains a turnover rate of 10% (2025 results), significantly lower than the industry average, and has tripled its workforce from approximately 100 to 300 since the pandemic.

The 'Zutto Crew Project' is a cross-departmental initiative aimed at creating a workplace where every individual can continue to be a 'good crew' member. The company name, 'Good Crew Dining,' carries a double meaning: 'Good food and restaurants are created by good crews.' This philosophy has now been systematized into a framework that supports employees throughout their careers.

'crew LINE' is a talent platform where current staff, part-timers, and alumni can register. It aims to keep the company connected with those who have worked there even after they leave. Key features include full registration, ongoing networking after graduation, a re-employment window, and career consultation.

CEO Satoshi Iwata commented, 'The restaurant industry has been described as a place where things end once you quit, but I want to change that. I want our crew to be more than just colleagues while they are here; I want them to be lifelong partners who can consult with us on their careers or return to us even after they leave.'