Bento Sushi is Canada’s largest sushi company, founded in 1996 in downtown Toronto by Ken Valvur. Starting as a small takeout shop offering sushi, bento boxes, and ready-to-eat foods, the brand quickly expanded into supermarkets and food courts in the late 1990s.

Today, Bento operates hundreds of fresh-food sushi counters across Canada and the United States, including grocery stores, universities, airports, and quick-service retail outlets.

Headquartered in Markham, Ontario, Bento Sushi remains committed to quality, consistency, and value in every roll. The company is a proud member of the Canadian Franchise Association and began expanding its franchise model significantly in the 2000s and 2010s. By 2013, Bento had launched its first on-site grocery sushi bar in the U.S., and by 2018 it had reached over 15 states.

What sets Bento apart is its chef-prepared, on-site fresh sushi made daily under strict food-safety standards, backed by sustainable seafood sourcing certified by the Marine Stewardship Council.

Training

Bento Sushi provides a comprehensive training program for its franchisees to ensure effective and compliant operations. The franchisor mandates that all principal owners and personnel complete specified training elements before and after opening a sushi counter. Below are the key training programs offered:

1. Initial Training Program: This includes online training conducted at a location selected by the franchisee and on-site training at the Sushi Counter. The program covers sushi preparation, sanitation, compliance, employee management, and marketing practices.
2. ServSafe Manager Certification: Before beginning operations, all employees, managerial or not, must pass this recognized food safety certification.
3. Pre-Opening On-Site Training: Bento Sushi provides 2 to 10 days of hands-on training at the franchisee’s location before opening. Franchisees are responsible for the daily fees associated with trainers.
4. Post-Opening On-Site Training: Offered upon request, this training takes place at the Sushi Counter after opening. It focuses on reinforcing standards and addressing early operational challenges.
5. Additional Training: Bento Sushi may require attendance at further training programs periodically. These may be held at headquarters or another location and come with additional fees per attendee.

Territory Protection

Bento Sushi does not offer territory protection or exclusivity to its franchisees. The franchisor explicitly states that franchisees will not receive any territorial or marketing exclusivity, meaning they may face competition from other franchisees, company-owned outlets, or other channels of distribution operated by the franchisor.

Each franchisee is only granted the right to operate a single Sushi Counter at a designated location as specified in their Franchise Agreement. Moreover, Bento Sushi retains the right to open or license others to operate similar outlets under the same or affiliated brand names anywhere, even in close proximity to existing franchisees.

This policy allows the franchisor to sell products or grant additional franchises without restriction, potentially affecting the market share and operational environment of existing franchisees. The franchisee’s right to a location is contingent upon the continued consent of the host facility, adding another layer of uncertainty.