News

Sushi Freak joins BBI's portfolio

October 3, 2011

San Diego-based Sushi Freak is now the first and only fast casual sushi brand to join Beautiful Brands International's (BBI) portfolio of restaurants.

As part of the agreement Sushi Freak utilize BBI's organizational and support system to market and franchise the brand on a national and global scale. BBI's support will include marketing, real estate, architecture, legal, franchise sales and other aspects of franchise development. Sushi Freak will be positioned as a fast casual sushi concept with a footprint of about 1,200 square feet or less depending on accommodations. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner with an average ticket sale of $10.

"We're very proud to franchise this exciting new brand and tap into an exploding industry niche," said David Rutkauskas, BBI founder, president and CEO. "With Sushi Freak, it's all about choice for our customers and giving them want they want. Not only can guests customize their sushi rolls with the exact ingredients they desire but can even watch as they're being made. Everything is rolled fresh to order right in front of the customer in about two minutes or less. Our goal is to re-invent the sushi category with this fast casual, customizable, affordable brand."

Sushi Freak CEO Michael Broder, who opened the reslaurant last year, said the positive response he's received from customers made him realize that it was time to explore growth options.

"We talked to a few other franchise companies but none of them impressed us quite like BBI did. With BBI's experience, we feel like we have a chance to be a major international concept," he said.