SUSHI MAKING CLASSES BUSINESS PLAN

I. Executive Summary

Company Description

The company, referred to here as the studio, launches in 2026 as a premium culinary entertainment studio in a major U.S. metropolitan area. It operates in the experiential dining and culinary education sector, offering hands-on, social sushi-making workshops taught by charismatic, expert sushi chefs using professional-grade tools. The studio’s main activities are running evening and weekend workshops, hosting private and corporate events, selling curated ingredient kits, and operating limited retail of specialty tools and ingredients. The name is not provided here; the operating identity emphasizes craft, social interaction, and high-touch service.

What sets the studio apart is its combination of expert-led instruction, social atmosphere, and professional equipment, creating a product that sits between a cooking class and a night out. The target market is adults in urban areas seeking experiential social activities—date nights, friend groups, and corporate teams—who pay a premium for memorable, participatory dining. Short-term goals: open a flagship studio, refine the workshop format, and build repeat customers. Long-term goals: scale to additional metro studios, expand retail and virtual offerings, and reach significant profitability within five years.

Problem

Many home cooks find sushi preparation technically intimidating: they struggle to source sushi-grade fish, master seasoned rice, and get real-time feedback on rolling and knife skills. Customers also face uncertainty about the specialized equipment and hygiene required for safe raw-fish handling, which raises safety and waste concerns.

Existing solutions—passive online tutorials and standard night-out activities—fail to deliver guided, hands-on instruction or a social, entertaining experience. There is a clear market gap for in-person, expert-led sushi workshops that combine education with social dining and real-time coaching.

Solution

Many food lovers avoid making sushi because it feels complex and online videos lack hands-on feedback. We offer immersive, in-person sushi workshops that remove that barrier by teaching rice seasoning, fish slicing, and multiple maki techniques in a professional studio with guided, tactile instruction.

All sessions include professional-grade equipment and premium ingredients, suit groups and individuals, and double as social or corporate team events—practical skill, not just a night out. One line: learn restaurant-quality sushi at home through hands-on practice and expert feedback.

Mission Statement

We empower culinary enthusiasts of all skill levels to master sushi through engaging, social, and high-quality hands-on experiences. We teach the skills and confidence needed to create restaurant-quality sushi at home using fine ingredients and expert instruction. We build a community of home sushi makers who value tradition, quality, and shared experience.

Key Success Factors

Success depends on hitting occupancy targets, maintaining instructor quality, controlling seafood COGS, sustaining a steady bookings pipeline, and growing billable days.

• Maintain occupancy at 55%→85%.
• Retain Lead Sushi Chef Instructors.
• Control COGS for fresh seafood to protect margins.
• Drive bookings via strategic marketing and partnerships.
• Increase billable days from 16 to 24 per month.

Financial Summary

Summary of projected top-line and profitability for the Sushi Making Classes business.

Financial requirements: minimum cash required $860,000 (Feb-26). Anticipated payback 21 months; breakeven Jan-27. Expected overall IRR 10.23% and ROE 4.53%.

Financial outlook: positive scale to profitability by Year 2 and strong EBITDA growth through Year 5.

Funding Requirements

The business seeks $950,000 in startup funding to cover $78,000 in capital expenditures (studio buildout and equipment) and a $860,000 minimum cash buffer for 13 months of operations, marketing, and staffing; this funding covers the first 13 months before breakeven.