About AFC

AFC is the proud owner of Australia's largest sushi franchise, Sushi Izu.
Welcome from our Australian General Manager

By way of introduction, my name is Damien Blakeney, General Manager at AFC Sushi Australia. I’ve had the pleasure of leading this start-up sushi franchise since we opened our first 3 locations in December 2011.

Despite the inherent challenges of any start-up business, notwithstanding the challenges the franchise sector continually endures, my journey at AFC has been truly refreshing and rewarding.

Franchising is the cornerstone of small business and is all about people working toward a common goal. Results are achieved from understanding those goals. The underlying goal is usually life enrichment.

The team and I share a simple philosophy towards our business, which is ‘always strive to do better’. In other words, never settle on your efforts today but focus on how you can do better tomorrow! We believe this ethos is tantamount to improving everyday lives.

My team and I have not been alone since inception. We’ve always had the support of our US parent entity, especially during the first 3 years when we opened 149 locations.

While the concept of making and serving sushi inside a supermarket was pioneered by our Founder, Mr Ryuji Ishii in the US over 30 years ago, AFC’s rise in Australia could not have been achieved without its strong alliance and partnership with Woolworths Supermarkets.

The unheralded notion of serving hand-crafted, fresh sushi, in-store to thousands and thousands of customers every day is a testament to the success of ‘Supermarket Sushi’ in Australia.

We sincerely hope you find the information available on our website useful and feel inspired to consider a franchise opportunity or perhaps a career at AFC. I encourage you to visit one of our Sushi Izu outlets in a Woolworths near you for a memorable sushi experience!

– Damien Blakeney, General Manager, AFC Sushi Australia

AFC Sushi Australia by the numbers

100+

employees

200+

stores

190+

franchisees

AFC Sushi Australia
AFC is Australia’s largest sushi franchise business. We have over 190 franchisees that operate over 200 locations across our nation.

Our reputation is built on providing convenient, restaurant quality sushi at affordable prices, using the highest quality ingredients.

Our sushi is prepared under strict systems and processes that ensure our customers receive safe and wholesome food every day.

We don’t believe in taking short cuts as it will only compromise the art and appreciation for sushi. Respecting the heritage of sushi and ingredients used in our products is central to our core values.

We pride ourselves on the development of applying best industry practices and adhering to our own comprehensive food safety and quality management systems.

Above all, we want our customers to celebrate and enjoy memorable moments whilst eating our sushi. The best moments in life usually involve food, family and friends. Make our sushi part of your next gathering!
AFC Sushi Global
Message from our Founder

Growing up in Japan, I have always enjoyed the convenience of packaged sushi as a snack or meal that I could purchase at every street corner.

When I moved to the United States, I really missed this convenience. It was in 1986 that I finally realised my dreams by establishing Advanced Fresh Concepts Corp. and introduced the in-store sushi bar concept to Vons, a supermarket chain in Los Angeles.

In 2002, our sushi bar operations evolved into a franchise system and Advanced Fresh Concepts Franchise Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary was established as the franchisor. In 2005, our franchise emphasis broadened beyond sushi bars with the introduction of Asian hot food bars.

Today, there are over 4,000 independently owned and operated food service counter franchise locations providing convenient, economical meals to consumers throughout the U.S., Canada, and Australia.

Since the company’s inception, our primary goal has been to understand, meet and exceed consumer expectations. We look ambitiously to the future as we strive to realise this goal in better, more efficient ways.

- Ryuji Ishii, Founder, AFC Sushi Global

AFC Sushi Global by the numbers

400+

employees

4,000+

stores

2,500

franchisees

AFC Sushi Global
From humble beginnings to world renowned food service company.

Advanced Fresh Concepts Franchise Corp. is the largest North American franchisor of supermarket-based food service counter concept pioneered by our parent company in 1986.

Our extensive experience in the industry is second to none. Our food service counters feature sushi and/or other delicious Asian cuisine. In addition to supermarkets, we can also be found in other industry segments, such as military commissaries, university campus food courts, and corporate office food courts, among others.

Our products are prepared fresh daily with quality ingredients and are conveniently packaged and merchandised as grab-and-go meals.

“The Premiere Grab-and-Go Food Service Counter Franchise Company in North America.”

- Jeffery Seiler, Director and President, AFC Corporation Inc.
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