Opens in a new tab

FRANCHISE RESALES

Buy an AFC Sushi Franchise

AFC Sushi, the trading name of Advanced Fresh Concepts Franchise Corp., is the largest North American franchisor of supermarket-based sushi and Asian food service counters. The brand pioneered fresh, hand-crafted sushi inside grocery stores, military commissaries, university campuses, and corporate food courts, with concepts launched in 1986 and franchising beginning in 2002.

AFC operates branded counter concepts including AFC Food Service Counters, Zenshi Handcrafted Sushi, and Wild Blue counters, serving freshly prepared sushi, poke bowls, dim sum, hot foods, and Asian-inspired grab-and-go meals. The business model is hosted: each counter operates within a retail location owned by a third party, which handles customer payments and sales reporting, sharing a percentage of gross sales with AFC before remitting the balance to the franchisee.

With more than 4,000 counter locations across the United States, Canada, and Australia, AFC is a subsidiary of Zensho Holdings Co., Ltd., Japan’s largest food service company by sales. Zensho acquired AFC in 2018, giving the franchise system access to global resources and deep supply chain relationships.

Latest Resales

  • There are currently no AFC Sushi resales available
Register your interest

Why buy an AFC Sushi Franchise?

Those who buy an AFC Sushi franchise join the largest and most established supermarket sushi franchise system in North America, with a network built over four decades across thousands of retail locations. The brand’s scale and long retail track record give franchisees a credibility baseline that an independent food operator would take years to build.

The hosted counter model keeps overhead lower than standalone food service: franchisees operate within an existing retail environment, with no separate lease obligations and built-in grocery foot traffic. AFC’s retail partnerships include major grocery chains such as Woolworths in Australia, while its supplier network meets Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) standards. The brand’s Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI) funding partner status supports credible sustainability messaging at the point of sale.

AFC Sushi Franchise Costs & Information

Based on 2024 data reported in the 2025 FDD

  • Brand Profile

    • Year Founded

      1986

    • Franchising Since

      2002

    • New Startup Cost

      $45,004 – $151,404

    • Avg. Resale Price

      Contact us for details

  • Franchise Fees

    • Initial franchise Fee

      $6,250

      for new territories

    • Transfer Fee

      $1,500

    • Royalty Fee

      8–11%

      of Gross Sales

    • Marketing Fee

      Not Disclosed

  • Unit Performance

    • Total Units *

      4427

    • New Units Opened *

      1850

    • Units Transferred *

      312

    • Avg. Unit revenue *

      Not Disclosed

    * Based on 2024 data reported in the 2025 FDD

AFC Sushi – Additional  Information

  1. Training & Support

    AFC provides new franchisees with three days of in-store training and a 10-day program at the Centre of Excellence covering sushi preparation, food safety, and operations. Ongoing support covers marketing, supply chain logistics, and quality control, with proprietary systems for inventory management and counter merchandising. Supplier partners meet Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) standards. Resale buyers should confirm what transfer training and system access AFC provides when ownership changes.

  2. Ideal Owner

    The AFC Sushi model suits operators comfortable managing a small team of food preparation staff within a host retail environment. Prior food service experience is helpful, as franchisees oversee daily sushi preparation and food safety compliance. The day-to-day role is operations-led; strong organizational and staff management skills are essential for maintaining freshness standards and managing the relationship with the host retailer. Those without direct sushi-preparation experience should expect hands-on involvement during the early stages of ownership.

  3. Recognition & Awards

    AFC Sushi has built market recognition as North America's largest supermarket sushi franchise, with a network spanning thousands of counter locations across the US, Canada, and Australia. The brand is a Funding Partner of the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI) and references the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch programme in its sourcing commitments. For resale buyers, brand recognition should be weighed alongside the reputation of the specific counter, including host store quality, customer loyalty, and positioning within that retail environment.

  4. Industry / Market

    The US grocery sushi market has grown substantially, with Circana data showing sushi sales up more than 63% since 2020 to over $2.5 billion annually. A Circana survey found that 91% of shoppers are more likely to purchase sushi than any other deli item. The broader retail foodservice segment reached $52.1 billion, with sushi sales rising 3.8% year over year, per FMI data. Consumer demand for convenient, ready-to-eat meals continues to support grocery foodservice growth, with high-traffic retail positioning giving counter operators access to a built-in customer base.

Learn more about
how to own a AFC Sushi franchise resale

Please fill out the form below and a Franchise Flippers expert will be in touch with you shortly.

The Franchise Brand Index

This page is part of Franchise Flippers’ independent franchise Index, designed as an educational resource to help potential buyers explore the franchise resale market and compare brands.

Trademark & Affiliation Disclaimer

This website is an independent, informational resource. All trademarks, logos, and brand names displayed are the property of their respective owners and are used solely for identification and educational purposes. Their use does not imply any affiliation with, endorsement by, or sponsorship from the respective trademark holders.