Sushi Sushi partners with Saudi fast-food giant Kudu to roll out a Middle East expansion

Melbourne-based franchise Sushi Sushi is poised to roll out a Middle East expansion with its first store in Saudi Arabia later this year, ahead of plans to grow its footprint to 40 stores by 2035.

The company, a local industry pioneer with more than 170 stores in Australia and New Zealand, has partnered with Kudu, a major Saudi fast-food chain, to bring the brand to the kingdom.

The first Sushi Sushi outlets are planned to open in Riyadh from October, which the company says will introduce Saudi consumers to Sushi Sushi’s signature Train, Restaurant and Grab & Go Kiosk formats.

“We believe Sushi Sushi will resonate strongly with the evolving tastes of Saudi consumers and set a new benchmark in premium fast-casual dining,” says Rakan Al-Rashed, the chairman of Kudu Company for Food and Catering.

“At Kudu, we believe that exceptional food should be accessible to everyone.

“Our partnership with Sushi Sushi allows us to introduce a globally respected sushi brand that combines high quality with affordability, making premium sushi an everyday option for customers across Saudi Arabia.

“This collaboration blends the best of Australian culinary expertise with deep local insight, offering our customers something truly unique.”

Sushi Sushi, which is majority owned by Odyssey Private Equity, was founded in 1998 with a single store at Box Hill in Melbourne and is a self-described pioneer of Japanese cuisine in Australia.

The company has a mix of franchised and company-owned stores, although it also operates a wholesale division that supplies BP service stations.

Sushi Sushi’s push into Saudi Arabia represents a strategic entry into the Middle East, positioning the brand for further planned growth in the region.

“We’re thrilled to bring Sushi Sushi to Saudi Arabia, a market with immense potential and a growing appetite for fresh, innovative cuisine,” says Sushi Sushi CEO Stephen Anders.

“Our partnership with Kudu allows us to deliver the authentic Sushi Sushi experience while adapting to local tastes, setting the stage for a successful long-term presence in the Middle East.”

Sushi Sushi plans to offer Australian menu staples in Saudi Arabia along with locally inspired creations that the company says will ensure a dining experience that “resonates with Saudi consumers while staying true to the brand’s commitment to freshness and quality”.

All locations in Saudi Arabia will operate under the Sushi Sushi brand, which the company says will guarantee a “consistent, premium experience across the kingdom”.

Initially, stores will be company-owned, with potential franchise opportunities made available as the brand establishes its market presence.

“This measured approach underscores Sushi Sushi’s long-term commitment to the region and its confidence in Saudi Arabia’s thriving foodservice sector,” says the company.

Sushi Sushi describes Kudu as a “powerhouse” in Saudi retail and dining, which it says will ensure strong local expertise and market penetration.

Kudu was founded in 1988 with a single restaurant in Riyadh providing made-to-order sandwiches in "a live theatrical open kitchen environment". The group currently operates more than 350 locations in 12 cities employing more than 5,000 people.

Sushi Sushi’s expansion into the Middle East come on the heels of plans announced late last year to grow its footprint in New Zealand to 35 outlets over the next decade.