Sushi is one of Japan’s most representative cuisines, combining freshness, visual appeal, and healthfulness, and is offered in styles such as nigiri (hand-pressed sushi) and maki (rolled sushi), making it well suited for takeout. Sushi also makes it easier to secure a higher average check, while a performance-style, made-in-front-of-guests experience further enhances the value offered.
This article summarizes sushi franchise trends in the U.S. market, along with the features, franchise costs, and support systems of key brands. It is designed for people considering joining a Japanese food franchise, organizing key brand features and support offerings.
The sushi market in the United States is expected to reach $33.2 billion (as of 2025)*1. Over the five-year period from 2020 to 2025, the sushi market has continued to grow at an average annual rate of 2.4%*2, and is expected to see stable expansion within the restaurant industry.
Sushi franchises often have their headquarters handle the bulk purchasing of ingredients such as fish and rice. This centralization provides them with greater leverage in price negotiations and supply stability compared to individually owned businesses. One key strength is the ability to design average check by setting different price ranges for styles such as nigiri, maki, rolls, and rice bowls, tailored to local areas and target customer segments.
The sushi business model makes it easier to set higher price points compared to other dining categories. For example, while Thai or Vietnamese lunches typically cost around $8 to $10*3, sushi and Japanese food lunches are often well accepted by customers even at $20 to $30*3.
In California, specifically, sushi maintains a strong popularity, especially in and around Los Angeles, and there is an increasing number of izakaya-style restaurants among the younger demographic. Moreover, conveyor-belt sushi and casual Japanese comfort foods such as karaage (Japanese fried chicken) and takoyaki (octopus balls) are also gaining attention. By pairing sushi with accessible side dishes like karaage and edamame (boiled soybeans), it becomes easier to raise average check and establish a revenue model supported by a broad customer base.
As of October 2025, there are 23,490 Japanese restaurants in the United States*4, and 22,611 of these restaurants offer sushi*5, accounting for more than 90% of the total. At first glance, it may appear that there are many competitors, but according to a survey by IBISWorld, as of July 2025, there are no companies with a market share exceeding 5%*6. Due to a decentralized structure in which no particular brand monopolizes the market, there is room for new brands to establish a unique position based on their concepts and quality.
In the sushi business model, handling raw fish requires strict hygiene and temperature control. In response to this challenge, franchise headquarters develop supply chains and refrigerated logistics systems, standardizing preparation and storage processes. This enables fast service while maintaining consistent quality at each restaurant. Franchisees are provided with an environment that reduces the burden of ingredient procurement and management, allowing them to focus more on preparation and service.
In addition, the format supports takeout and grab-and-go options (packaged items for immediate carry-out), enabling efficient restaurant operations from the early stages of opening.
Japanese cuisine is rapidly becoming a popular genre in the United States. Moving forward, however, there will be a growing demand for "authentic Japanese cuisine" rather than just "Japanese-style" adaptations.
Therefore, this media platform introduces carefully selected franchise brands directly from Japan. We highlight recommended companies and genres that offer promising profitability based on regional characteristics, so please use this information as a guide.
Choose by area characteristics
Three Selected
Japanese Food Franchises
AFC is a franchise that operates sushi bars within supermarkets across the United States, and it is one of the largest sushi brands in North America, with over 4,000 locations*. By leveraging supermarket customer traffic, the model reduces opening risk and makes entry easier even for operators without prior foodservice experience.
Since the headquarters provides integrated support for ingredient supply, hygiene management, training, and manuals, even people without sushi chef experience can provide products with consistent quality.
More and more grocery stores are offering fresh sushi. This AFC-operated outlet is one of the really good ones. Pricing is reasonable, and the quality and selection at this Market Street location are consistently very good. Never disappointed!!
The spicy tuna roll was very good, and the California roll was just as good.
| Franchise fee | $6,250 (full-time location) * For owners already operating as AFC franchisees, the initial franchise fee for opening a new full-time sushi counter at another supermarket is discounted on a prorated basis according to the remaining months of the current contract. 48–60 months: $6,250 36–47 months: $5,000 24–35 months: $3,750 12–23 months: $2,500 Under 12 months: $1,250 |
|---|---|
| Initial investment | $41,104 to $138,804 (New full/part, when not purchasing an existing AFC-operated location) When purchasing an existing AFC-operated location: $42,104 to $238,804 |
| Royalty | 25% to 27% for the facility (supermarket) and 8% to 11% for AFC are deducted from gross sales. The remaining balance (after other deductions) will be remitted to the franchisee. The percentage may vary depending on the facility agreement, and AFC’s share typically does not exceed 11%. |
| Company Name | Sushi Sushi Ultimate Holdings Pty Ltd |
|---|---|
| Total Number of Restaurants (Including Company-Operated Locations) | Over 4,000 locations (number of locations in the United States and Asia not specified) Based on information from the official website as of November 21, 2025 |
| Address | 19700 Mariner Avenue Torrance, CA 90503 |
Learn more about opening
an AFC franchise
Ginger Sushi Boutique blends traditional sushi with multicultural flavors, offering a vibrant and distinctive menu. They offer a selection of creative sushi, such as the delicate Blossom, reminiscent of flower petals, and bite-sized Temari that lets diners enjoy a variety of flavors, appealing to both the eye and the palate. The brand is primarily based in Canada and offers operational know-how tailored to international markets.
No customer reviews were found online.
| Franchise fee | Not listed on the official website |
|---|---|
| Initial investment | Not listed on the official website |
| Royalty | Not listed on the official website |
| Company Name | Sushi Shop |
|---|---|
| Total Number of Restaurants (Including Company-Operated Locations) | Nearly 150 locations (the breakdown is unknown) Based on information from the official website as of November 7, 2025 |
| Address | Unknown |
Learn more about opening
a Ginger Sushi Boutique franchise
Founded in 1998, this American food service company currently operates over 2,500 locations in 44 U.S. states (as of November 13, 2025).
They offer sushi and poke bowls made fresh by hand daily in-store, and the seafood they use is sourced in accordance with environmentally responsible certification standards. It is a sustainable sushi franchise brand committed to the protection of marine resources.
This place is worth the wait if you have the time. The sushi is fresh and super flavorful. No wonder there’s always a crowd there! So good!
Pam, the server, was a delight. Excellent recommendations. I had the “Southern Charm Roll” and the “Sunset Roll.” Both were excellent. Fresh preparation. Everything was clean. Definitely the best place in this aero facility.
...I ordered a shrimp tempura roll to go. It was phenomenal! I wish I could have had more time to sit and enjoy a drink while I was there, but my layover was super short. If I’m ever in the airport again, I will definitely stop in for a roll!
| Franchise fee | Not listed on the official website |
|---|---|
| Initial investment | Not listed on the official website |
| Royalty | Not listed on the official website |
| Company Name | Hissho International, LLC |
|---|---|
| Total Number of Restaurants (Including Company-Operated Locations) | Over 2,500 locations (number of locations in the United States and Asia not specified) Based on information from the official website as of November 7, 2025 |
| Address | 3623 Lazy Hawk Rd, Suite 101, Rock Hill, SC 29730 704.926.2200 |
Learn more about opening
a Hissho Sushi franchise
Bento Sushi, operating primarily in North America, offers a diverse selection of Japanese cuisine, including nigiri, maki rolls, poke bowls, and teriyaki rice bowls, made with fresh seafood and vegetables sourced every morning.
This franchise helps bring the appeal of Japanese cuisine to local markets through menu development and quality control tailored to North American food culture. Information on location expansion in the United States could not be confirmed.
We called in for a light lunch on our last day of the holiday. It was busy, but we were seated quickly. The menu offered plenty of good-value options. The food was very good and prepared quickly.
Out of the way, but really cute and great value for money. This was a Friday night bolthole and definitely a place to go for great Japanese food. The service was quick and efficient, and the food was delicious. The bill wasn’t excessive, which is great for Jersey!
...The best bet then is to order some hot food from the kitchen before spotting & taking a dish or two from the belt. Recommendations I just have to make are from the belt: the hoisin duck, which was mouthwatering, and from the kitchen: the beef tataki which was outstanding. Both the katsu chicken hand roll & the chili squid dishes are also worthy of mention. Two things worth mentioning are that the kitchen seemed to be producing the ordered food much quicker than on previous visits, and also the staff seemed to be friendlier and more efficient this visit.
| Franchise fee | Not listed on the official website |
|---|---|
| Initial investment | Not listed on the official website |
| Royalty | Not listed on the official website |
| Company Name | Bento Inc. |
|---|---|
| Total Number of Restaurants (Including Company-Operated Locations) | Not listed on the official website |
| Address | 25 Sims Crescent, Unit 1Richmond Hill, Ontario, CanadaL4B 1C9 Toll Free 1-866-337-8744 |
Learn more about opening
a Bento Sushi franchise
SNOWFOX is a sushi kiosk franchise operating in the United States, featuring a low-risk, high-turnover business model that leverages customer traffic within supermarkets. To enable the convenient provision of restaurant-quality sushi, headquarters standardizes ingredient supply, operations, and manuals, making the business easy to operate even for those with no prior experience in the food and beverage industry. The brand is popular for its wide-ranging menu, including sushi rolls, sashimi, poke, and bento boxes, effectively capturing demand from shoppers making add-on purchases, as well as takeout demand for lunch and dinner.
No customer reviews were found online.
| Franchise fee | $1,000 to $100,000 Based on a weighted scoring system that considers factors such as store type (inline/endcap/island), display cases, location category, in-store section, and the availability of hot food. |
|---|---|
| Initial investment | New establishment (inline/endcap/island): $20,794 to $222,532 Existing purchase (inline/endcap): $26,914 to $285,482 Existing purchase (island): $26,914 to $333,482 |
| Royalty | Weekly sales distribution (compensation to the store owner and franchisor) Store owner revenue share: 15% to 35% of total sales (subject to adjustments based on agreements with stores) Franchisor revenue share: 5% to 20% of total sales (subject to adjustments) Payment frequency: Weekly, within 30 days of receipt of sales revenue from the store owner Insurance premiums for commercial liability are covered through a group insurance plan, with a weekly deduction of $18.20 (approximately ¥2,675) for every $1,000 (approximately ¥147,000) in sales. The renewal fee is 20% of the initial franchise fee. Additionally, fees may apply for transportation, startup support at $400 per person per day (approximately ¥58,800 per person per day, including travel expenses), administrative support, and additional training. In the future, cooperative advertising programs may be established for each radius-based area, with contributions capped at 1.5% of total sales. |
| Company Name | JFE FRANCHISING, INC. |
|---|---|
| Total Number of Restaurants (Including Company-Operated Locations) | Over 1,400 locations (number of United States and Asia locations unknown) Based on information from the official website as of November 21, 2025 |
| Address | 2021 Bingle Rd Houston, TX 77055 |
Learn more about opening
a SNOWFOX franchise
Founded in 2022, this UK-based sushi franchise operates live sushi kitchens across the country, with locations ranging from sit-down restaurants and casual high street dining to grab-and-go stores — including selected London locations open until 5 AM.
All sushi is made fresh to order in open, visible kitchens — never pre-made and refrigerated in advance. The menu spans classic Japanese sushi styles (maki, nigiri, sashimi, kaburi) alongside East Asian-inspired dishes such as katsu curry, gyoza, and bao buns. On the sustainability front, the brand partners only with fish suppliers accredited by globally recognised bodies, sourcing salmon from Scottish waters, MSC-assessed tuna farms, and BAP 4-star certified prawn farms to actively combat overfishing.
| Franchise fee | Not publicly disclosed |
| Initial Investment | £170,000 - £200,000 + VAT |
| Royalty | Not publicly disclosed |
Stopped off to get out of the London heat and get some cooling sushi. Ordered salmon maki + nigiri, plus poke and katsu bowls. Everything was fresh and delicious, wait staff were welcoming and friendly, and I felt I got my money's worth. Will come back once I'm in the area again!
My parents live around the corner and we regularly order take away from here. Sushi is tasty and high quality. Good selection to meet all tastes including my mum who is a vegetarian.
| Company Name | THE SUSHI CO LTD |
| Total Number of Restaurants (Including Company-Operated Locations) | 26+ locations |
| Address | 4 Whitchurch Parade, Whitchurch Lane, Edgware, United Kingdom, HA8 6LR |
Learn more about opening
a The Sushi Co franchise
Established in 1980 and headquartered in Osaka's Kitashinchi district, this Japanese sushi restaurant group currently operates 6 locations across Osaka and Tokyo, including its flagship store in Dojima, Kita-ku.
Sushi Akazu was founded on the concept of making high-end sushi accessible without inflating prices through interior decor or overhead costs. Its defining feature is the use of akazu (red vinegar) — aged from carefully selected sake lees for over 10 years using a traditional Edo-period technique — which forms the base of their proprietary shari (vinegared rice) blend. The restaurant sources premium seasonal seafood directly from fishermen and trusted market brokers, and uses rare wasabi selected annually from top-producing regions across Japan, along with limited-distribution wooden-barrel-brewed soy sauce. All of these premium ingredients are offered at accessible prices through bulk group purchasing.
| Franchise fee | JPY 3,000,000 |
| Initial Investment | Not publicly disclosed |
| Royalty | Variable rate of 5% to 10% of sales |
There were only eight seats at the counter.The sushi rice was seasoned with red vinegar, and the sushi was soft and fluffy. It was easy to eat with either your hands or chopsticks. The menu included standard ingredients like tuna, sea urchin, and gizzard shad, as well as some more unusual options like haruko, so I think it was a menu that a wide range of customers could enjoy.
They were quick to ask how hungry you were, and you could have the amount of sushi rice adjusted to suit your needs, so it was a restaurant you could enjoy regardless of how much you could eat.
Amazing sushi. We got every piece + in-between courses like miso soup and savoury pudding delivered one at a time. Each one simple, each one perfectly fresh and flavoured. It was just a perfect meal and very casual and relaxed.
| Company Name | Sushi Akazu Co., Ltd. |
|---|---|
| Total Number of Restaurants (Including Company-Operated Locations) | 6 locations |
| Address | NJ Bldg. 6F, Dojima 1-4-4, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-0003, Japan |
Learn more about opening
a Sushi AKazu franchise
Founded in 1997 in London's Soho, this British Japanese restaurant chain currently operates more than 500 locations across the UK, with additional international restaurants worldwide.
YO! Sushi is best known for pioneering the kaiten (conveyor belt) dining format in the UK, where colour-coded dishes circle the restaurant for diners to pick at their own pace. The menu spans fresh sushi alongside a range of Japanese-inspired hot street food and fusion dishes. The brand places strong emphasis on ingredient quality and sustainability — it exclusively uses Yamasa soy sauce (Japan's leading brand), a custom vegetarian miso made by Marukome in Nagano, and only serves yellowfin and albacore tuna (never endangered bluefin). Its Atlantic salmon is Global GAP-certified and fully traceable to source.
| Franchise fee | Not publicly disclosed |
| Initial Investment | Not publicly disclosed |
| Royalty | Not publicly disclosed |
My parents live around the corner and we regularly order take away from here. Sushi is tasty and high quality. Good selection to meet all tastes including my mum who is a vegetarian.
Fresh and delicious food. The team were lovely. Very impressed. A customer moaned it took too long which frustrated me and I felt for the team because if the food is fresh you will wait! I never want fast sushi!! Very impressed, thanks to the team for a delicious meal.
| Company Name | THE SUSHI CO LTD |
| Total Number of Restaurants (Including Company-Operated Locations) | 26+ locations |
| Address | 4 Whitchurch Parade, Whitchurch Lane, Edgware, United Kingdom, HA8 6LR |
Even within Japanese food, the most receptive customer segments vary by genre. This section introduces recommended Japanese food genres based on the characteristics of the prospective area, along with Japanese franchise brands that already operate locations in the United States. The focus is on the food that can be offered by joining each franchise brand.
Gyu-Kaku delivers authenticity through certified Japanese A5 Wagyu. By also featuring USDA Prime beef, they offer steakhouse-quality dining at accessible prices.
From import to processing, Japanese staff strictly manage quality at every step, delivering the same authentic flavor found in premium yakiniku restaurants in Japan.
| Franchise fee | $50,000 |
|---|---|
| Initial investment | Approx. $1,215,444 to $2,606,540 |
| Royalty | 5% on annual sales up to approx. $1,500,000 4.5% on annual sales from approx. $1,500,000 to $2,000,000 4% on annual sales over approx. $2,000,000 |
| Number of restaurants | 825 worldwide (including 63 in the United States and 580 in Asia) |
| TripAdvisor rating | 4.3 out of 5.0 (442 reviews)*2 |
A wide range of toppings, from chicken katsu to omelets, ensures a fresh experience every visit, driving strong customer loyalty.
In addition to toppings, customers can adjust rice portions and spice levels, making the menu enjoyable for those who prefer milder flavors as well as those who want larger portions.
| Initial franchise fee | $40,000 |
|---|---|
| Initial investment | Not listed |
| Royalty | Not listed |
| Number of restaurants | 1,480 worldwide (including 11 in the United States and 1,467 in Asia) |
| TripAdvisor rating | 4.3 out of 5.0 (41 reviews)*3 |
As a popular chain with 861 locations in Japan*1, franchisees are able to consistently serve udon noodles with a firm, chewy texture, supported by the headquarters after opening.
The noodle-making, boiling, and cooling processes are demonstrated in an open kitchen, allowing customers to enjoy a freshly made, live dining experience.
| Franchise fee | $40,000 to $64,000 |
|---|---|
| Initial investment | $1,126,500 to $1,980,000 |
| Royalty | 5% of sales |
| Number of restaurants | 1,188 worldwide (including 23 in the United States and 1,155 in Asia) |
| TripAdvisor rating | 4.5 out of 5.0 (108 reviews)*4 |
*1 Source: Marugame Udon official website(https://jp.marugame.com/shop/), as of a December 2025 survey
*2 TripAdvisor: New York City location, as of October 28, 2025(https://www.tripadvisor.jp/Restaurant_Review-g60763-d3175593-Reviews-Gyu_Kaku_Japanese_BBQ-New_York_City_New_York.html)
*3 TripAdvisor: Irvine location, as of October 28, 2025(https://www.tripadvisor.jp/Restaurant_Review-g32530-d9750729-Reviews-Coco_Ichibanya-Irvine_California.html)
*4 TripAdvisor: Los Angeles location, as of October 28, 2025(https://www.tripadvisor.jp/Restaurant_Review-g32655-d4019757-Reviews-Marugame_Monzo-Los_Angeles_California.html)
* TripAdvisor ratings are based on the highest-rated U.S. location.
*The number of restaurants is based on the following references. As of a December 2025 survey
Gyu-Kaku official website(https://www.gyukaku.ne.jp/world.php)
CoCo Ichibanya official website(https://www.ichibanya.co.jp/comp/ir/finance/highlight/graph01.html)
Marugame Udon official website(https://jp.marugame.com/shop/)
