Sushi conveyor belt chain has already opened 25 in country’s largest retailer in the UK across the country.
IN a press release, YO! – formally YO! Sushi – writes that it is putting 50 of its Japanese-themed restaurants across Tesco stores and is already halfway through that goal.
The latest opening was a YO! To Go kiosk at the Durham Extra store.
The roll-out, which will be complete by the end of the year, is part of a strategy to leverage YO! group’s combined knowledge and create new formats and products to “broaden the brand’s appeal”. The manned kiosks offer made-to-order sushi as well as sharing platters and ready-meal versions of YO! dishes.
Chief executive Richard Hodgson said: “Developing our YO! To Go proposition is an integral part of our multi-channel strategy to drive availability and engagement with more consumers. Tesco, as the largest retailer in the UK, is the perfect partner.”
The YO! Kiosks offers made-to-order sushi, as well as ready-made meals like salmon teriyaki.
Earlier in the year, facilitated by Mayfair Equity Partners, Yo! acquired US brand and rivals SnowFox in a USD 100 million deal to add to a portfolio that also includes Bento Sushi and Taiko Foods.
The new food group is expected to bring in GBP 337 million in sales, two-thirds of which will be generated in the US market.
Cooke Aquaculture Scotland is YO!’s UK supplier.
