Sushi Itto, which blends Japanese dishes with ingredients from the Western Hemisphere, currently has two US locations in San Diego. The chain would like to add about 20 new units next year, throughout California, Nevada and Texas, says Alberto Romano, Sushi Itto's owner and president. Los Angeles-based Infinity Realty Group, headed by president Steve Berck, is handling the US expansion.
"We have all of the factors in our control, so we can work out our expansion," Romano says. The chain is looking for locations in a variety of real estate, including food courts in malls, urban streets and lifestyle centers. Its restaurants average 2,200 sf.
Romano says he is not sure yet how many Sushi Itto units he will open in the US, but is planning a major roll out. "If Mexico and Central America can support 100, you could multiply that by five," he says.
For the initial rollout, Romano says that he will not franchise out his restaurants. "It's easier for me to have control of what I'm doing," he explains.
The average check at Sushi Itto for dinner is $24. Romano says that he chose San Diego for the first US locations because of the city's diversity with immigrants, tourists, upscale consumers and US Navy employees.
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