Translated from Japanese Yobidoyobi means “Day of the week is Saturday ”. The brand has more than 200 locations in 4 countries including UAE. The company offers to rent smart cloud kitchens around the world, which are much easier to open than a classic sushi shop. The initial investment is $20,000 – it is a perfect solution for those who want to run food delivery in a busy area but don’t want to equip and prepare their food delivery kitchen and waste heaps of time to launch. On average cloud kitchens need from 2 to 6 weeks to get started.
Mr.Konstatin Zimen – Founder Yobido Yobi Sushi chain
Concept: Delivery and delivery only
The cloud kitchen concept is a set-up where restaurants can prepare food for delivery or takeout only, without a physical space for dine-in customers. These kitchens are also sometimes referred to as ghost kitchens, virtual kitchens, or dark kitchens. EBITDA of such projects will start from $7,000.
There are two main ways cloud kitchens operate:
• Multiple restaurants share one kitchen: A commercial kitchen space is divided up for different restaurants to rent and use. This allows established restaurants to expand their reach or for new businesses to start up at a lower cost since they don’t need to invest in furnishing a whole restaurant.
• Virtual restaurants: One business runs multiple delivery-only restaurants, each with its own menu and branding, all operating out of the same kitchen. This allows them to test new food concepts or diversify their offerings without the extra overhead of a physical location for each restaurant.
The main requirement – the kitchen must be at least 15 sq m.
In both cases, marketing costs will range from $0 to $8,000.
Experience in Dubai: A Growing Market with a Twist
The UAE boasts a burgeoning middle class with a taste for international cuisine. However, simply replicating the existing sushi menu might not be enough.
Developing in Dubai, the brand used a system that helped customise the menu, embrace technology, and understand local preferences.
Yobidoyobi sushi delivery offers not only the classic rolls we are all used to, but also premium segment items and options for vegetarians.
Royalties in Dubai for the franchises will remain from 6 to 9% of revenue.
Expanding in the Middle East
The Middle East region presents a lucrative opportunity for sushi franchises to expand their reach.
Yobidoyobi has dozens of ready cloud kitchens that are located in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, Bahrain and Kuwait.
By adapting the menu, utilising technology like cloud kitchens and delivery apps, and demonstrating cultural sensitivity, sushi franchises can flourish in the exciting Middle Eastern market.
