
Bento Sushi
Food & Beverage · Quick-Service Restaurants
About Bento Sushi
Bento Sushi is a Canadian operation specializing in sushi and other Asian food products. Established in 1996 in Toronto, Ontario, it quickly expanded to become the largest sushi company in Canada. The headquarters of Bento Sushi is located in Richmond Hill, Ontario. From this central location, the company coordinates its operations and oversees its global expansion efforts. Bento Sushi offers a wide range of sushi products, including both traditional and innovative varieties. Their menu also includes other Asian foods such as dumplings, noodles, and rice dishes. Bento Sushi products are sold in various outlets, including grocery stores, college campuses, corporate cafeterias, and kiosks in malls across North America. On a global scale, Bento Sushi operates in over 900 locations, including over 600 North American locations. The company has expanded through partnerships with major retailers such as Walmart, Safeway, and Whole Foods. It has also entered the US market with the acquisition of the Sushi With Gusto chain. In addition to its North American presence, Bento Sushi has expanded internationally, with locations in the United Kingdom and other European countries. As one of the industry leaders, Bento Sushi maintains a strong market position. Its global sales and revenue figures are not publicly available, but the company's growth and expansion indicate its success in the highly competitive Asian food market. Bento Sushi faces competition from other sushi chains, as well as local restaurants specializing in Asian cuisine. In recent years, the company has undergone significant changes to support its growth. In 2017, Bento Sushi announced a strategic partnership with the Japanese-based YO! Sushi. This partnership allowed Bento Sushi to further expand its presence in the UK and European markets. Currently, Bento Sushi continues to expand its operations both domestically and internationally. The company prioritizes high-quality ingredients, sustainability, and innovation in its products. It has become a popular choice for sushi lovers across North America and beyond. In conclusion, Bento Sushi is a leading Canadian sushi brand that has successfully expanded globally. With a wide range of sushi products and a strong market presence, it continues to grow and diversify its offerings.
Key terms
Brand Percentile Rankings
Rankings compare brands in the same operating year. Fee and investment figures come from the FDD (2025 filing).
Growth
- Total locations63
Franchised units open at year-end
- New openings10
Gross new units opened during the calendar year
- 1-year unit growth rate5.0%
Net unit growth versus prior year
- 3-year unit CAGR-18.1%
Compound annual growth rate of unit count over the trailing 3 years
- Unit growth ratio10.0×
Cumulative opens / closures through year-end
Unit economics
- Annual unit volume (Median)—
Per FDD Item 19 disclosure
- Annual unit volume (25th percentile)—
Per FDD Item 19 disclosure
- Annual unit volume (75th percentile)—
Per FDD Item 19 disclosure
- 1-year Median AUV growth rate—
Year-over-year change in median AUV
- Store-level EBITDA Margin—
Median unit-level EBITDA / AUV
Investment profile
- Estimated initial investment$83k
Midpoint of estimated initial investment range
↓ Lower is better - Time to open—
Midpoint of average time from agreement to opening
- Royalty rate10.0%
Percent of net sales paid to the franchisor
↓ Lower is better - Sales-to-investment ratio—
Median AUV / estimated initial investment midpoint
- Cash-on-cash returns—
Median unit-level EBITDA / estimated initial investment midpoint. Steady-state estimate; year 1 returns will be lower as the unit ramps to median volumes.
Franchisee healthLocked
- Unit closure ratio
- Transfer vs. closure ratio
- Percent multi-unit franchisees
- Litigation rate
- EBITDA multiple on sales & transfers
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