Itsu, the Japanese sushi brand set up by Pret A Manger directors Julian Metcalfe and Clive Schmee in 1997, is to more than double its number of restaurants in the UK and open its first overseas outlet.
The group, which has three restaurants and seven take-away shops in London, has hired CADA Design Group to help design four new London restaurants. Glenn Edwards, recently promoted to head of operations, said the group intended to "grow cautiously", adding five to seven venues a year.
In October, Itsu will make its US debut in a one-off deal with franchisee Luke Fryer, who will open a branch in Manhattan, with plans to expand at the same rate as in the UK.