Japanese Sushi Franchises
Sushi Franchises
with an Overseas Track Record
Overseas expansion of Japanese sushi brands
For Japan’s major sushi chains, overseas expansion has already become a standard part of their growth strategy. Genki Sushi now operates more than 240 stores outside Japan (as of October 2024). Gatten Sushi and Heiroku Sushi are also increasing their overseas presence and actively recruiting franchise partners in international markets. Large-scale players such as Sushiro and Kura Sushi mainly expand through company-owned outlets and local subsidiaries, and are opening more stores across a growing number of regions.
Although contract types and market conditions differ by country, the number of franchise-format stores is on the rise, especially in North America, Southeast Asia, and East Asia. It's telling that Sushiro and Kura Sushi still expand primarily through company-owned stores — leaving the franchise conversation to brands like Genki Sushi and Gatten, which have proven overseas but haven't saturated their markets yet.
Startup costs and barriers to entry
For conveyor-belt sushi concepts, the need for refrigeration and food-conveyor equipment means that the initial investment typically falls in the mid- to high-range.
In addition, each country has its own regulations and standards for handling raw fish—such as freezing requirements for raw seafood, temperature logging, and allergen labeling—so managing raw ingredients safely and compliantly is a key success factor. Partnering with a brand that already has operating experience and a track record in overseas markets can provide greater peace of mind.
Key success factors
Conveyor-belt sushi has a structural edge: per-item pricing lets customers spend more without feeling like they have. Table turnover and average check are both easy to forecast.
Sushi is the category where local imitation is most common — and where the gap between imitation and original tends to be most visible to consumers. At the same time, in major cities you will face competition not only from other sushi operators but also from concepts such as poke and broader Asian cuisine. Raw fish regulations vary by country and are worth knowing upfront — though brands that have already navigated multiple markets have done the hard work of figuring that out.
Japanese Sushi Franchise Brands
This section introduces Japanese sushi franchisors that already have a proven track record with overseas franchises. Sushi is becoming firmly established as a familiar choice in many countries, but there are still many authentic Japanese brands with distinctive concepts worth exploring. This list is a good starting point for putting together your shortlist.
GENKI SUSHI
Founded in 1968, Genki Sushi operates multiple brands, including Uobei, a non-conveyor-belt sushi concept, and has over 240 locations across 11 countries and regions outside Japan (as of March 2025).
Gatten Sushi
Founded in 1986, Gatten Sushi is a gourmet conveyor-belt sushi brand featuring in-store preparation, with about 50 international locations across 6 countries and regions.
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