Yo! Sushi Readies Stateside Expansion

Is the U.S. primed for fast-casual sushi? London-based Yo! Sushi thinks so and is counting on filling the need for fast-casual sushi that other chains have missed. The 87-unit chain is in the early stages of expanding its footprint in the U.S. It’s opened two successfully received locations in New Jersey and Florida, has another three in the works and now plans to dot America’s East Coast with its distinctive conveyor-belt restaurants.

Yo! Sushi serves a wide range of Japanese dishes carried along a conveyor belt and color-coded by price. Restaurants have airline-style call buttons so customers can get servers’ attention.

Yo! Sushi debuted in London in 1997. Management bought the company in 2003 and subsequent expansion has taken it to 75 locations in the U.K. and 12 franchise locations around the world.