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Yo! Sushi plans overseas franchise operations
Yo! Sushi’s chief executive has outlined his plans for the restaurant chain following the company’s management buyout in September with Primary Capital.
Robin Rowland told Leisure Management that Yo! Sushi has already opened its first two franchise restaurants and has plans for a further three franchise operations.
The first two franchises, both overseas, are in Athens and Dubai, with the former committed to opening a further nine sites – one opposite the Olympic Stadium – within the next 10 years and the latter, four more within five years.
“We resisted franchise operations for years,” said Rowland, “and the fact we get 250 applicants a year yet have only developed two demonstrates how careful we are to make sure we’ve got serious business people with the experience and commitment to do a roll out.
“We’ll do another three franchises, probably in Spain, the Nordic countries, the Benelux countries or in the Gulf.”
He added that now the company has begun working with overseas partners it may also consider franchises in the US. “The US is a very hard market to crack, but we offer speed, efficiency and customer choice, which is everything they want,” he said.
In the UK, Rowland plans to see the brand grow from 15 to 25 sites within four years. He also plans to dispose of a small number of restaurants which do not fit the formula of being in areas with high levels of passing trade. Details: see the full interview with Robin Rowland in Leisure Management November/December 2003