Sushi Sushi bets on Saudi drive-thru as chain expands overseas

It is targeting 40 outlets over the next decade.

Sushi Sushi is pushing into Saudi Arabia with its first drive-thru concept, betting that quick-service formats will unlock demand in a market where two-thirds of consumers eat sushi at least once a month.

Stephen Anders, the Australian sushi chain’s CEO, said the brand sees an opening between high-priced restaurants and supermarket sushi, much like in Australia two decades ago when Sushi Sushi pioneered premium grab-and-go.

“Drive-thrus are big in Saudi Arabia, also delivery,” he told QSR Media. “In Australia, home deliveries make up about 10% to 12% of quick-service restaurant sales. In Saudi Arabia, it’s closer to 35%.” The hot weather also makes delivery very attractive.

The expansion hinges on a partnership with Kudu, one of the kingdom’s biggest restaurant operators. Kudu runs about 350 outlets across Saudi Arabia and Bahrain and provides national warehousing, logistics, and landlord connections, which Anders said would help Sushi Sushi secure prime sites faster. The company is targeting 40 locations over the next decade.

Supply chain development is another pillar of the rollout. Anders said Sushi Sushi has made several visits to Saudi Arabia to design a premium network that balances local sourcing with imported ingredients.

“If you see a premium, high-quality dining experience for sushi and the Japanese category, then you know you can construct a supply chain in that market,” he said via Zoom.

Sushi Sushi’s move comes as Saudi consumers increasingly embrace Asian food, with sushi consumption already embedded in urban dining habits.

Anders said raising the quality of quick-service sushi, widening access across the country, and delivering authentic experiences will be critical to growth.

Back home, Sushi Sushi operates 190 restaurants after last year’s acquisition of the Sushi Musa brand, which added nine outlets. The chain is opening about 25 restaurants annually and has its fiscal 2026 pipeline fully booked, with franchises making up about  70% of growth.

“Following the bolt-on acquisition of Sushi Musa, there’ll be further announcements in the coming weeks about the continuation of that strategy,” Anders said, signalling more deals may be on the horizon.