Genki Global Dining Concepts has acquired Food Odyssey Pty. Ltd., the operator of 180 Sushi Sushi restaurants across Australia, marking a significant expansion of the Japanese company’s international footprint.
The Tokyo-based restaurant chain operator is positioning the deal as a cornerstone of its long-term growth strategy, with ambitions to become one of the world’s leading Japanese sushi brands by restaurant count.
Sushi Sushi holds a dominant position in the Australian market, where sushi has evolved from speciality cuisine into an everyday quick-service option comparable to sandwiches and hamburgers. The brand operates primarily in prime shopping centre locations and has expanded beyond Australia into New Zealand and Saudi Arabia.
“As a leading Australian sushi brand, Sushi Sushi has a strong customer base, an excellent franchise track record, and significant room for growth both domestically and internationally,” said Masuzo Fujio, president and CEO of Genki Global Dining Concepts. “Their unwavering commitment to quality, freshness, and customer satisfaction is deeply aligned with our vision of building one of the world’s leading sushi brands.”
The acquisition gives Genki immediate access to Sushi Sushi’s established brand recognition, operational expertise, and franchise management platform. The Australian company, founded in 1995, has built its competitive position through award-winning restaurant designs, premium ingredients, and a distinctive “Art of Sushi” program that partners with local artists.
Stephen Anders, CEO of Food Odyssey, will continue leading the business alongside the current management team. “This acquisition recognises the achievements our team and franchise partners have made over the years,” Anders said. “We believe that our partnership with Genki Global Dining Concepts will enable us to accelerate the next stage of growth while leveraging Sushi Sushi’s strengths.”
Genki cited several strategic advantages driving the Australian acquisition, including the country’s multicultural dining market, abundant marine resources, and well-developed distribution infrastructure that supports multi-unit expansion. The company plans to leverage its network of Japanese food suppliers to enhance product offerings while integrating locally evolved sushi culture with traditional Japanese techniques.
The deal positions Australia as a testing ground and model for Genki’s broader global expansion plans, particularly in the Middle East, where Sushi Sushi has already established operations.
