Asia's Kura Sushi to Expand Overseas, Targeting Thailand by 2027

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TAIPEI, June 24 (CNA) After withdrawing from the mainland China market, Asia's Kura Sushi is once again targeting overseas markets beyond Taiwan. Chairman and General Manager Kaoru Yabuuchi, presiding over his first shareholders' meeting since taking office, announced the goal of opening the first store in Bangkok in the first quarter of 2027, with a future target of 50 stores. He also stated, "We have great expectations for the Taiwanese market," with a long-term goal of opening over 100 stores.

Asia's Kura Sushi held its shareholders' meeting today, which was also the first presided over by Chairman and General Manager Kaoru Yabuuchi since taking office. He spoke to the media for the first time after the meeting.

Yabuuchi stated that the company is relaunching its overseas expansion plan and has been investigating the Thai market. Considering the local high affinity for IP and its diverse food culture, they are evaluating the investment in establishing a subsidiary to facilitate future store expansion plans. The goal is to open the first store in Bangkok in the first quarter of 2027, with a future target of 50 stores.

Asia's Kura Sushi entered Shanghai, China in 2023. Considering changes in the economic environment, the company announced in 2025 that it would gradually cease operations of its three Shanghai stores, has exited the Chinese market, and will not continue to invest there.

Yabuuchi stated that in the future, the company will "be based in Taiwan and expand across Asia," promoting the evaluation of the Asian market.

Regarding the Taiwanese market, he expressed, "We have great expectations for the Taiwanese market and feel there is a lot of room for development." The company plans to maintain an expansion pace of 5 to 10 stores annually, with a long-term target of over 100 stores across all Taiwanese counties and cities. This year, they opened their 63rd store in Hualien, eastern Taiwan, becoming the first Japanese conveyor belt sushi brand to enter eastern Taiwan. "We expect to open two more stores in Taiwan in the second half of the year, and the pace of expansion next year will be slightly faster than this year."

Kura Sushi introduced a diversified price range in February this year. Yabuuchi stated that the average customer spending has effectively increased, and customer traffic has grown steadily. The "gacha-with-added-value-guaranteed strategy" in two experimental stores has also been highly favored by consumers. The "new store format strategy" revolves around a joyful dining experience and is expected to be launched in Taiwan next spring.

When asked about the competition in the conveyor belt sushi market and the Taiwanese dining market, Yabuuchi replied that Taiwan offers many business opportunities, has a strong dining-out culture, and a high acceptance of Japanese food culture and a fondness for Japanese IP culture. Asia's Kura Sushi also stated that it will expand with different store formats, including standalone street-front stores, department store locations, and commercial buildings, in major metropolitan areas with potential business opportunities.

Regarding other conveyor belt sushi competitors in Taiwan, he noted that Kura Sushi has deep development in automated equipment and possesses differentiation and advantages in products and IP collaborations.

In response to a survey indicating that Kura Sushi's average salary among listed companies is in the lower tier, Yabuuchi responded that due to the company's extensive use of automated equipment, up to 86% of employees are part-time. However, he affirmed that the company will actively enhance employee benefits. (Editor: Lin Jia-han) 0624115

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