IRO Sushi has signed its first restaurant in Scotland and is targeting up to 20 locations across the country as part of its continuing UK expansion.
The new restaurant will open this summer at 249–257 Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow, taking over the former Oodles Wok unit.
The opening will provide IRO Sushi with its first foothold in Scotland, with the business already seeking further locations and franchise partners in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.
The Scottish push builds on a period of rapid expansion for IRO Sushi, which currently operates more than 35 restaurants across the UK.
Founded in 2014 by trained sushi chef Chhong Sherpa, the business specialises in made-to-order sushi alongside Japanese-inspired hot dishes.
Franchising has played a significant role in its growth, with IRO Sushi opening more than 20 locations since August 2023 and developing a model providing franchisees with operational support and training. Previous expansion plans have set a target of 100 locations by 2030.
The Glasgow signing follows further regional expansion during 2026.
IRO Sushi opened restaurants in Woking, Tunbridge Wells, Maidenhead and Bristol during the first half of the year, with the new sites trading ahead of expectations, according to its half-year update.
H&C News reported in July that the Maidenhead and Bristol openings formed part of a wider pipeline expected to take the brand towards 40 restaurants, with between 10 and 15 openings planned during 2026.
The business subsequently reported system sales of £11.1m for the 26 weeks to 30 June 2026, representing year-on-year growth of 28%.
Like-for-like sales increased by 20% during the period, supported by established restaurants, new openings and menu development.
IRO Sushi has also been rolling out an updated restaurant design inspired by Japanese izakayas, incorporating technology intended to improve both operational performance and the in-store customer experience.
Chhong Sherpa, Founder and CEO of IRO Sushi, said: “Glasgow is an important milestone for IRO Sushi and our first step into Scotland. We have reviewed opportunities here for several months, and Sauchiehall Street gives us the right platform to introduce IRO Sushi to customers in Glasgow and build from there.
“We are already looking at further opportunities in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen and believe Scotland could support up to 20 IRO Sushi locations over time.
“We will grow carefully with the right sites and franchise partners, while maintaining the quality, value and operating standards that have driven our growth.”
The Scottish expansion will form part of IRO Sushi’s wider ambition to build a 100-site business by 2030, with UK growth complemented by longer-term opportunities in Europe and the Middle East. Its previous expansion programme has similarly focused on entering towns and cities where the brand does not already have a presence.
An exact opening date for the Glasgow restaurant has yet to be announced.
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