Published 4 October 2026

IRO Sushi, the made-to-order sushi chain that started with a single London store in 2014, has grown to more than 35 franchise stores across the UK and has set a target of 100 sites by 2030.

From one London store to a national franchise

IRO Sushi was founded by sushi chef Chhong Sherpa, who opened the first store in London in 2014. The business began franchising in 2019, and around 25 of its stores are now in Greater London, with the rest spread across the UK.

The pace has picked up this year. In May the company signed for new sites in Basingstoke, Bristol, Ipswich, Ilford and Maidenhead, according to trade title MCA, and the Ilford restaurant opened its doors on 26 September.

Fresh sushi at high street prices

The menu is built around sushi made fresh to order, alongside Japanese-inspired dishes, for dine-in, takeaway and delivery. Hospitality Week reported earlier this year that the chain serves more than 1.1 million customers a year and has introduced a new store design, first shown in Woking, that franchise partners can replicate.

Europe next

Growth is not limited to the UK. IRO Sushi is preparing its first restaurants in Germany, which will be its first sites outside the UK, and the company has said it is assessing other markets in Europe.

A route into ownership for franchisees

To reach its target, IRO Sushi is recruiting franchise partners. Its franchise programme includes a joint venture route designed to help chefs and other hospitality staff move into owning their own restaurant.

Find out more

Menus, locations and franchise information are on the IRO Sushi website: irosushi.com

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Disclosure: IRO Sushi is a client of Himal Tech Ltd, which publishes Meta Guest Post News.