Upstart British chain YouMeSushi is aiming to turn itself into the U.K.’s “Starbucks for sushi.”
The chain, which now operates 21 locations in the greater London area, serves pan-Asian cuisine with a focus on Japanese food, particularly sushi. It also offers poke bowls, curry, ramen, and limited-time specials, all fresh each day on-site.
“Think of it as like a Starbucks for sushi, so people can come in, have a drink and, have a fast, casual kind of sushi,” YouMeSushi Location Manager Atikur Bhuya told Echo News. “We are separated from other come-and-go chains because all we have is made fresh and in-house; there is no machinery, and we use a skilled chef. There is nothing from a central location.”
Founded in 2008, YouMeSushi is actively recruiting franchisees on its website.
“YouMeSushi has demonstrated consistent success across London and surrounding areas thanks to our proven and well-tested business model. By becoming a franchisee, you will be able to replicate this success in your local area, backed by the experience and expertise of our team,” it said in its pitch. “Our innovative approach to sushi, which combines traditional Japanese techniques with modern culinary trends, has set us apart in the competitive high street. By joining our franchise network, you will become a part of a brand that is committed to delivering exceptional dining experiences, ensuring customer satisfaction and loyalty. We believe we serve some of the best sushi in London for on-the-go-customers, and we’re eager to support the growth of your restaurant franchise to bring our dishes to more customers.”
The chain offers specialized training designed to equip its managers with the skills and knowledge necessary to run a successful sushi restaurant.
“Our training covers various aspects of the business, such as sushi menu planning, inventory management, employee training, and marketing. This in-depth training will provide you with a solid understanding of our brand and operations, ensuring your success as a franchisee,” it said. “Additionally, our ongoing training opportunities will help you stay up to date with the latest trends and developments in the industry, allowing you to continuously improve and adapt your business to meet the evolving needs of your customers. This includes the expert training required to create sushi dishes from fresh ingredients, one of our main signatures.”
YouMeSushi franchisees also benefit from a “streamlined supply chain” for all ingredients, including fresh fish.
“YouMeSushi has established relationships with reputable suppliers, ensuring that you have access to high-quality ingredients and products at competitive prices,” it said. “This streamlined supply chain allows you to maintain consistency in the quality of your offerings and manage costs effectively, contributing to the overall success of your business.”
Bhuya, who manages a YouMeSushi store in Essex, said the chain has risen above competitors such as Itsu and Wasabi in customer opinion.
“It is a different experience,” Bhuya said. “You have that classic dining experience or the usual fast food, but we are trying to get to other places. We do delivery, and we are trying to blend both sit-in and delivery.”
Bhuya said the Essex location’s most popular dishes are katsu curry and sushi starter boxes, which contain salmon nigiri, sashimi, uramaki, and temaki.
“Our menu is very pan-Asian; it is not very Japanese, and that is a big focus. Our founder’s idea of mixing hot dishes with sushi,” Bhuya said. “You can have something else. We aren’t forcing only sushi on you, and if you love sushi, you can have that or katsu or soup or poke.”
