Over the past twenty years, Japanese cuisine has become in demand. Sushi and rolls are in special demand , which is not surprising: low-calorie, with unique taste and a wide variety of seafood, they are increasingly finding fans among Russians.
Despite the competition, this Japanese cuisine business continues to expand. And with a successful marketing campaign, high quality service and a unique cuisine recipe, even a beginner can take his place in a niche and make a good profit.
Market overview and competition analysis
So, you have decided to start your own business. Analyzing the demand market, we draw your attention to the fact that public catering has always been in high demand. According to Rosstat statistics, in recent years there has been a steady growth in turnover in the field of public catering. That is, as we see the potential for business is.
Turnover of public catering 2015-2019 (million rubles)
Why is this business so attractive? First of all, profitability, with minimal investment in equipment. The result is a fairly “decent” level of income.
But to get the result, you need to work hard on choosing a strategy, develop your own concept, since the high competition of this business will not give a chance for the life of a rash project.
You have to conceptually stand out from the rest, with a stylish design and a unique approach to increase your clientele. Delicious cuisine and quality customer service must become your business card .
Criteria for choosing premises for a business on sushi and rolls
The first step will be the search and selection of premises. It is better to rent the premises than to buy, so the amount of investment will be less. The successful location of the business will bring a quick return on investment and a stable income.
Therefore, when choosing a place, pay attention to the movement of fixed-route taxis, to the patency depending on the time and the presence of your target audience. The most “fat” places will be shopping centers, but the rent there will be much higher. The cost of rent for 1 square meter in the shopping center is from 1,550 to 10,000 rubles.
You should not open a business with a similar business located nearby, as you will reduce the flow of potential customers and create “unhealthy” competition.
Sometimes a novice entrepreneur makes a global mistake when choosing an area , so that this does not happen, it is necessary to clearly consider the location of the zones, calculate the size of the commercial equipment, taking into account the size of the kitchen and the number of tables. The area of the leased premises will directly depend on the format of the business.
For example, if you plan to open a cafe, then the area should be at least 60-100 square meters , and 15 will be enough to implement the store format .
What is the most relevant business format for sushi and rolls
This business can be divided into several forms, which will be conceptually different from each other. But at the same time, the registration process and the standard package of necessary documents will be the same .
To register, decide on the form of ownership, the best option is to register an individual entrepreneur (IP), when choosing this form, you will save on paying tax, since the tax rate for IP is 6% .
Then do not forget to register with the pension fund and obtain permission from the fire inspectorate and the SES to trade in products.
A prerequisite for hiring employees is the availability of a health book and a medical examination.
And now let’s take a closer look at the stages of doing each business separately.
Format No. 1 “Shop for everything for sushi and rolls”
The idea of this format is a specialized store, the assortment of which is necessary for making sushi and rolls at home.
To implement this format you will need:
- Rent a room with an area of at least 15 square meters . The main factor that you should pay attention to is the location of the future store, it is desirable that it be in a busy place or rent a room in a shopping center. Then make repairs by designing the future store in the Japanese style.
- Acquisition of commercial equipment , racks, cash register.
- Search for a supplier , there may be several of them, since the range of goods in the store is diverse and includes not only products, but also special utensils used in the preparation of sushi. Before choosing the best option for yourself, check out all the offers from suppliers. And be sure to check for the appropriate product certificates and licenses.
- Personnel selection . Qualitatively selected staff is not an unimportant factor in the service sector, it is desirable that employees understand Japanese cuisine, know the specifics of making sushi and several recipes. And of course, they must have such qualities as courtesy and customer focus. If you have a mini-shop, then an administrator and two sales assistants are enough in the state.
- Advertising . Do not forget that advertising is the engine of trade, leaflets, discounts, loyalty cards, accumulation cards, bonuses, distribution of souvenirs – this will help draw attention to the business.
- Let’s calculate the starting capital for starting a business:
Cost item | Cost, rub |
Premises for rent | 15,000 |
Repair | 50,000 |
Purchase of commercial equipment | 150 000 |
Purchase of a cash register | 3000 |
Business registration | 10,000 |
Advertising | 30,000 |
Staff | 104 000 |
· Seller (2 persons) | 50,000 |
Administrator _ | 30,000 |
· Payroll taxes | 24 000 |
Goods supply | 100,000 |
TOTAL | 438 000 |
Monthly expenses:
Cost item | Cost, rub |
Premises for rent | 15,000 |
Staff | 80 000 |
Communal payments | 10,000 |
Goods supply | 100,000 |
Payroll taxes | 24 000 |
Accounting outsourcing | 7000 |
TOTAL | 236 000 |
! The payback of this business format is 1.5-2 years.
Format No. 2 “Point of sushi and rolls at the food court”

The format of the food court is a cozy cafe, located, as a rule, in a shopping center. To implement the business project format, you will need:
- Rent an area on the food court with an area of at least 20 square meters and divide it into zones, a kitchen, a counter, a showcase. It is better to decorate the room in the Japanese style, for example, white or gray walls, dark furniture, red pillows, fans and flower arrangements on the walls, Japanese-style dishes.
- Purchase equipment – thermal, refrigeration, showcases. In addition, it will be necessary to purchase furniture, bar counters, dishes, uniforms for staff, furniture for visitors, and so on.
- Find suppliers for the purchase of products, taking into account the features of the menu. For a food court, it is desirable that the menu be varied.
For example, this:
- Rolls – 20 types;
- Sushi-10 types;
- Set-3 types;
- Chinese noodles – 4-5 types;
- Fillers for vogue noodles – 3-4 types;
- Salads – 5 types;
- Desserts – 3 types;
- Drinks – 5 kinds.
- Personnel selection . The establishment will require the following employees:
- Administrator-2 people;
- Waiter-4 people;
- Sushi chef – 4 people;
- Worker for cleaning the premises – 1 person;
- Dishwashing worker-2 pers.
- Courier for food delivery – 2 people.
It is desirable that sushi chefs be highly professional workers and have work experience, only such a master can guarantee the quality of the prepared dishes.
- Advertising . A competent advertising company will help to quickly attract the attention of customers. You can hold the grand opening of the bar, distribute leaflets, hold promotions for the holidays, organize free delivery.
- Starting capital for opening a food court:
Cost item | Cost, rub |
Premises for rent | 80 000 |
Repair | 200 000 |
Business registration | 10,000 |
Purchase of equipment: | 1,000,000 |
· Rice cooker | 20 000 |
Thermos for rice | 5000 |
Stove _ | 100,000 |
hood _ | 20 000 |
Refrigeration equipment | 100,000 |
Dishwasher _ | 30,000 |
· Production table | 15,000 |
Stainless steel sink | 15,000 |
Hand wash | 10,000 |
· Trade showcase | 150 000 |
· Kitchen furniture | 150 000 |
Furniture for visitors | 220 000 |
Sushi cases | 10,000 |
· Crockery | 100,000 |
· Cash register | 3000 |
・ Cooking tools | 50,000 |
· Electronic scales | 2000 |
Business registration | 10,000 |
Advertising | 50,000 |
Staff | 360 000 |
Administrator (2 people) | 32 000 |
Sushi chef (4 people) | 100,000 |
Waiter (4 people) | 60 000 |
・ Cleaning worker | 15,000 |
Worker for washing dishes (2 people) | 30,000 |
· Courier (2 people) | 40 000 |
· Payroll taxes | 83 000 |
Purchase of products | 100,000 |
other expenses | 50,000 |
TOTAL | 1,650,000 |
Monthly expenses:
Cost item | Cost, rub |
Premises for rent | 80 000 |
Staff | 360 000 |
Communal payments | 15,000 |
Purchase of products | 390 000 |
Advertising | 10,000 |
Accounting outsourcing | 10,000 |
Other costs | 20 000 |
TOTAL | 885 000 |
! The payback period for a food court business is about 2 years on average.
Format No. 3 “Island in the shopping center”

The format of this business is a bright island in a crowded place. To implement this project, you need to go through the following steps:
- Rent space . The island, as a rule, does not take up much space, it is enough to rent 5-10 square meters . It can be located in a shopping center or business center, while the rental price will depend on the location and rental period.
- Purchase of equipment. To open the island, you need to buy a trading module, refrigeration equipment, and a microwave.
- Staff. Since the island’s work schedule will coincide with the shopping center’s work schedule, and this is usually from 9-00 to 21-00, you will need at least two sushi chefs, 2 cashier managers and an administrator.
- To open an island, we calculate the starting capital:
Cost item | Cost, rub |
Premises for rent | From 20 000 |
Acquisition of a shopping island | 250 000 |
Business registration | 10,000 |
Microwave | 20 000 |
Refrigeration equipment | 60 000 |
Staff | 111 800 |
Administrator _ | 16 000 |
· Cashier-manager (2 persons) | 30,000 |
Sushi chef (2 people) | 40 000 |
· Payroll taxes | 25 800 |
Purchase of products | 50,000 |
TOTAL | from 521 800 |
Monthly costs:
Cost item | Cost, rub |
Premises for rent | From 20 000 |
Staff | 111 800 |
Administrator _ | 16 000 |
· Cashier-manager (2 persons) | 30,000 |
Sushi chef (2 people) | 40 000 |
· Payroll taxes | 25 800 |
Purchase of products | 50,000 |
Accounting | 7000 |
Communal payments | 10,000 |
TOTAL | from 198 800 |
! The payback period is 6-7 months.
Format No. 4 “Sushi bar”

To open a Sushi Bar, it will not require large initial investments due to the specialization in cold appetizers, which means that you do not have to buy expensive equipment for cooking.
Consider the stages of formation of this business:
- Renting space or premises. Such a business format does not require large areas, the sushi bar will freely accommodate both 50 square meters and 10-20. It is advantageous to install such bars in large stores and shopping centers. Refurbish and create a comfortable environment. It is better to design a bar in a European style with elements of Japan.
- Purchase of equipment. To open a bar, you will need equipment – it will be a bar counter, a refrigeration unit, sushi cases, a rice cooker and other tools.
- Staff. The staff will need the following:
- Bartender-2 people;
- Sushi chef – 2 people;
- Administrator – 2 people;
- Dishwasher – 2 people;
- Room cleaner – 2 people.
At the same time, it is desirable that the chef and bartender have experience and recommendations.
- Advertising. In this case, we give preference to external advertising – these are banners, a bright stylish sign, staff uniforms with the logo of your institution, billboards, advertising on the Internet and on YouTube. For regular customers, you can introduce a discount or a loyalty card.
- Let’s calculate the starting capital for opening a bar:
Cost item | Cost, rub |
Premises for rent | 30,000 |
Repair | 100,000 |
Business registration | 10,000 |
Purchase of equipment | 130 000 |
Furniture | 50,000 |
Staff uniform | 20 000 |
Advertising | 30,000 |
Crockery, interior elements | 80 000 |
Staff | 223 600 |
Administrator (2 people) | 32 000 |
Sushi chef (2 people) | 50,000 |
Bartender (2 people) | 30,000 |
Worker for cleaning the premises (2 people) | 30,000 |
Worker for washing dishes (2 people) | 30,000 |
· Payroll tax | 51 600 |
Purchase of products | 300 000 |
TOTAL | 693 600 |
In this case, the monthly costs will be:
Cost item | Cost, rub |
Premises for rent | 30,000 |
Advertising | 10,000 |
Communal payments | 10,000 |
Staff | 223 600 |
Administrator (2 people) | 32 000 |
Sushi chef (2 people) | 50,000 |
Bartender (2 people) | 30,000 |
Worker for cleaning the premises (2 people) | 30,000 |
Worker for washing dishes (2 people) | 30,000 |
· Payroll tax | 51 600 |
Purchase of products | 300 000 |
Accounting | 7000 |
TOTAL | 580 600 |
! Payback of this business format is 7 months
Format No. 5 “Sushi and rolls delivery service”

To implement a business idea this format includes the following steps:
- Room rental. At the same time, the attractiveness of the premises is useless, since customers will not come to it
- Purchase of equipment. You need to purchase kitchen equipment, cooking tools, dishes, a phone and a laptop to take orders.
- Staff. The specifics of the business is the production and sale of Japanese dishes to order. This will require the following staff:
- Sushi cook-3 people;
- Courier-3 people;
- Order manager – 3 people
- Advertising. When preparing an advertising campaign, it should be taken into account that a fairly large part of the clients are people under 40, which means that it is necessary to focus on advertising in social networks. For this audience, the “1 + 1 = 3” promotion, discount coupons and a birthday discount work well. Do not forget about the distribution of leaflets and car advertising. Try to fulfill orders on time, if there is a delay, immediately inform the client. Remember, trust will be built on factors such as speed and quality.
- Start-up capital.
Cost item | Cost, rub |
Premises for rent | 30,000 |
Business registration | 10,000 |
Purchase of equipment | 447 000 |
· Rice cooker | 20 000 |
Thermos for rice | 5000 |
Stove _ | 100,000 |
hood _ | 20 000 |
Refrigeration equipment | 100,000 |
Dishwasher _ | 30,000 |
· Production table | 15,000 |
Stainless steel sink | 15,000 |
Hand wash | 10,000 |
fryer _ | 10,000 |
· Kitchen furniture | 20 000 |
Multicooker _ | 10,000 |
Sushi cases | 10,000 |
・ Cooking tools | 50,000 |
· Electronic scales | 2000 |
· Portable refrigerator | 10,000 |
phone , laptop | 20 000 |
Advertising | 50,000 |
Purchase of products | 200 000 |
Staff: | 214 500 |
· Cook-sushi-3 people; | 75 000 |
· Courier-3 people; | 45 000 |
· Order manager – 3 people. | 45 000 |
· Payroll tax | 49 500 |
Purchase of a vehicle | 300 000 |
Fuel costs | 20 000 |
Other costs | 10,000 |
TOTAL | 1 081 500 |
The monthly costs will be:
Cost item | Cost, rub |
Premises for rent | 30,000 |
Advertising | 10,000 |
Communal payments | 10,000 |
Staff: | 214 500 |
· Cook-sushi-3 people; | 75 000 |
· Courier-3 people; | 45 000 |
· Order manager – 3 people. | 45 000 |
· Payroll tax | 49 500 |
Fuel costs | 20 000 |
Purchase of products | 200 000 |
Accounting | 7000 |
TOTAL | 491 500 |
! The payback period for this project is 1.5-2 years
Format No. 6 “Sushi and rolls” on wheels “”

The Sushi and Rolls on Wheels format is a mobile version of a sushi bar. This is a mobile outlet where Japanese cuisine will be prepared and sold.
You will need to create a menu, choosing light and less expensive dishes. Periodically, you can change the location point, which will allow you to decide on a more profitable place.
When organizing this business, you will need:
- Choose a place where the mobile sushi bar will be parked. This may be a place near a business center, in a market or in a park area.
- Buy a mobile trailer with the necessary equipment for cooking. The trailer d is equipped with a refrigeration device, a glass showcase
- Staff. In the state, it is enough to have two cooks-sellers.
- Advertising. Advertising costs are minimal here – a brightly designed trailer and a neon sign will attract the attention of buyers.
- Starting capital for opening a mobile business format :
Cost item | Cost, rub |
Place rental | 20 000 |
Business registration | 10,000 |
car trailer | 200 000 |
Purchase of equipment | 216 000 |
· Rice cooker | 20 000 |
Thermos for rice | 5000 |
Refrigeration equipment | 30,000 |
Hand wash | 10,000 |
fryer _ | 10,000 |
· Chair for the seller | 2000 |
Multicooker _ | 10,000 |
Sushi cases | 30,000 |
・ Cooking tools | 10,000 |
Roll cutting machine | 1500 |
Sushi making machine | 1500 |
· Equipment for sushi | 95 000 |
Advertising | 10,000 |
Purchase of products | 100,000 |
Staff: | 65 000 |
· Cook-seller-2 persons; | 50,000 |
· Payroll tax | 15,000 |
Other costs (food wrap, disposable tableware, napkins, etc.) | 20 000 |
TOTAL | 581 000 |
In this case, the monthly costs will be:
Cost item | Cost, rub |
Premises for rent | 30,000 |
Advertising | 10,000 |
Communal payments | 5000 |
Staff: | 65 000 |
· Cook-seller-2 persons; | 50,000 |
· Payroll tax | 15,000 |
Purchase of products | 100,000 |
Accounting | 7000 |
TOTAL | 217 000 |
! Payback of the project 7-8 months
Supplier selection
How to choose the right supplier? Please note that there will most likely be several suppliers due to the different categories of products needed to prepare Japanese cuisine. After all, you will have to purchase such product groups as:
- Seafood;
- Fish;
- Rice, wasabi, nori leaves, soy sauces, ginger, etc.;
- Fresh vegetables;
- Drinks, water, coffee.
Before you sign a contract with a supplier, analyze the offers and compare prices, make sure the quality of the purchased products and expiration dates, check the availability of certificates.
Buy food in small quantities to reduce the risk of food spoilage and simplify storage. As a rule, the delivery of products is carried out at your expense, so choose suppliers whose bases are nearby to minimize transportation costs.
Business profitability
One of the important indicators of the success of this business is a very high profitability. The cost of one roll is 6-10 rubles. , and at the exit the client purchases this product for 40 rubles. and above . When calculating the level of profitability, this figure reaches up to 250%.
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