YO! acquires sushi brand Taiko
The brand plans to create a global multi-format and multi brand sushi business.
With the YO! group’s international restaurant network across Europe, North America, the Middle East and Australia, the combined business is now one of the largest sushi companies outside Japan. The acquisition will enable the continued growth of both businesses, particularly amongst UK supermarkets and other food outlets.
In addition, it is expected to enable greater purchasing power, knowledge transfer and process efficiencies across the YO! group.
The acquisition of Taiko comes after three years of significant change for YO!, in which Mayfair Equity Partners bought into the business, Richard Hodgson joined the business as CEO and the group doubled in size with the acquisition of Bento Sushi in Toronto. This follows a renewed focus on the brand, product, and people, including the appointment of several senior team hires.
Richard Hodgson, chief executive officer at YO!, said, “We are delighted to welcome Taiko and all their team to the YO! family. This acquisition takes YO! into the next stage of its development, and further expands its global multi-format and multi brand sushi business with extensive manufacturing operations in both the UK and North America. Taiko’s proposition and its management team’s strong track record make it the ideal partner for YO! as we look to further grow our business in the UK.”
Derek Lewis, managing director of Taiko, added, “This partnership presents Taiko with an incredible opportunity to grow its business. YO! and Taiko share a similar ethos and history, and we look forward to working with the YO! team and maximising opportunities to develop both businesses.”
