IRO Sushi signs five new sites as UK estate nears 40

IRO Sushi has signed five new locations as part of an expansion strategy to reach 100 sites by 2030. 

The new openings in Basingstoke, Bristol, Ipswich, Ilford and Maidenhead will take the total estate to 38 locations.

Founded in 2014 by Chhong Sherpa, the brand provides made-to-order sushi and Japanese-inspired dishes. 

The upcoming launches mark the first entry for the company into Bristol and Ipswich while strengthening its existing presence in the Thames Valley and Home Counties.

All new stores will feature an enhanced design inspired by traditional Japanese Izakayas. The group reported system sales of £18.5m last year, representing a 29% increase year-on-year and 19% growth on a like-for-like basis.

The company stated the new sites are located in underserved catchments to introduce the brand to new customer bases. 

The openings follow a six-month period of refining the store format and menu ahead of the planned national rollout.

Chhong Sherpa, chief executive of IRO Sushi, said: “This is another significant milestone for IRO Sushi. Over the last six months, we’ve worked hard to refine our proposition with the launch of our new store format and continue evolving our menu.”

Sherpa added: “Now, with the foundations firmly in place, we’re ready to turbocharge our growth with the opening of new sites across the UK. This will see us look to strengthen our footprint in high-growth areas of the country and broaden our reach with the opening of new locations in new towns and cities.”