London Sushi concept Iso Sushi has targeted 50-plus stores by 2027 as it looks to expand across the UK and overseas. Iso Sushi was founded in 2014 by Chhong Sherpa and has since grown to 30 stores across the capital.
It is now looking to expand further through franchising, with its growth being led by director of operations Sultan Thakur, a former operations manager at Papa John’s. He said: “After over nine amazing years with Papa John’s managing operations, I felt it was time to take my career to the next level and open my own business.”
During my search for the right opportunity, I came across a small but promising brand, Iro Sushi, which had 12 branches at the time and big plans to grow across London. I connected with Chhong online, and after our first meeting, he saw potential in my experience and offered me the chance to lead operations and expansion, along with the incredible opportunity to become a franchisee owner of my first branch.
With Chhong’s support and vision, I opened my first Iro Sushi branch – a proud moment, marking the start of my journey as a business owner, and now I have three stores of Iro Sushi. From 2023 to 2025, we’ve grown from 12 to 30 branches across London. Now, our sights are set even higher – with a goal to open 50-plus stores across the UK and Europe by 2027.”
Sherpa himself grew up in Nepal and came to London as a student in 2009 without little to his name. The following year, he secured a job as a sushi chef, and while managing two jobs, he also pursued his studies at Maritime Greenwich College.
He eventually transferred to South London College, switching his major to Business Management, and started the sushi business while completing his postgraduate studies in Hospitality Management at Westminster College. Sherpa told London World that he now employs more than 200 workers and that his sushi shops generate a turnover of £1.5m per month, amounting to approximately £18m annually.
With a goal of opening ten branches a year, Sherpa said he is determined to expand Iro Sushi to all four countries of the UK. Starting this year, he also plans to expand Iro Sushi into America and Europe. “The US is a huge market, and this will be a real test for me,” he added.
