Bento - Sushi Kiosk Franchise

A seriously tasty franchise opportunity

Get your teeth into something new with your own Bento Sushi Kiosk franchise, under the Wonderfield umbrella.

You’ll be part of one of the world’s largest, and most popular sushi brands by taking on your very own outlet, or group of outlets, in some of Ireland’s most popular retail locations.

The kiosks operate in Marks & Spencer in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and this is your chance to tap into a ready-to-roll business template, which has already been proven across thousands of locations in the UK and around the world.

The kiosks are anything but just another food line among thousands of others available in those locations, they are a destination, within a destination, for anyone who loves fresh, delicious, healthy food. They are designed to stand out from the crowd, and being part of the franchise is an unbeatable chance for you to do just the same.

Bento is part of the Wonderfield Group, an umbrella company consisting of many of the world’s most successful and popular sushi brands, including AFC, Bento, Snowfox, Snowfruit, Sushi Circle, Sushi Izu, SushiTake, Taiko, YO! and Zenshi. Wonderfield prides itself on being “Where good things come from”, and are not just talking about great food, they’re talking about a better way of life for everyone who works with them, one where you are in charge of your own business and your own future.

ABOUT BENTO

Founded in 1996 in Toronto, it is now the second-largest sushi brand in North America and the largest in Canada. Bento serves quality sushi, and hot Asian food, in over 950 locations, including:

• Quick-service restaurants
• On-site kiosks, in grocery stores, and
• Non-traditional locations such as colleges and universities, hospitals, business offices

They have 6 production facilities that supply Bento Express® sushi to over 2,000 grocery and institutional foodservice clients across North America.

THE BENTO OPPORTUNITY

This is a pre-packaged, ready-to-serve franchise opportunity which can offer you a concept which has been tried and tested across multiple locations and:

• A huge pool of happy, hungry customers just waiting for you
• Immediate placement in the most visible retail locations
• Access to the very best suppliers of one of the world’s favourite foods
• Low start-up fees with fantastic earning potential
• Exceptional training & support from the best in the industry

Best of all – there’s NO KIOSK BUILD COSTS! Wonderfield Ireland pays for it all…that’s how confident they are of your success.

WHO ARE WONDERFIELD IRELAND LOOKING FOR?

They are primarily looking for franchisees who will act as owner/operators themselves, as they believe that the energy and passion that comes from a direct personal investment in the brand really shines through to customers, but they are also open to potential multi-unit operators.

No previous experience in retail, or the food & beverage industry is needed, as the comprehensive training will teach you everything you need to know. It’s far more important that you are the right kind of person, rather than having the perfect CV. This is about more than just running a successful and profitable business, it’s about working together to build something you can both be proud of.

You could be just who they are looking for if you have some managerial experience, or a track record of leading a team and are:

• Good at motivating yourself and others to maintain the high standards of the brand
• A great communicator who can build a strong rapport with your customers
• Willing to take a hands-on role in your new business
• Hard-working, dedicated, committed and willing to give it your all
• Willing to follow the tried and tested systems already in place
• Able to learn, and take on new skills, as well as constantly strive for bigger and better things
• Ready to be your own boss and hit the ground running from day one

Join us and ride the rising tide of sushi’s popularity, with kiosks in the most visible, high-traffic areas of one of Ireland’s largest retailers.

YOUR CUSTOMERS

A typical supermarket sees an average of 4,000 customers per day so, in any given area, that is 10s of thousands of potential customers every week, meaning a percentage of all people who regularly visit a supermarket (which is everyone!) will walk past a spot where Wonderfield have already agreed to locate a kiosk. You’ll have direct access to the retailer’s customer base right from day one and enjoy an immediate revenue stream, as well as plenty of potential for growth. Marks & Spencer have a 10% market share in Ireland*.

With a Bento kiosk franchise, you won’t need to start up, but you’ll have plenty of opportunities to build up!

TRAINING & SUPPORT

Taking place over 3 weeks, the comprehensive training programme is designed to teach you everything you need to know to make your new business a success.

You’ll have 1 week of practical onsite kiosk training, normally 3 weeks before handover; followed by 1 week of academy training (theory/ classroom) from the very best in the business, and a second week of practical training in the kiosks.

Wonderfield Ireland are 100% committed to giving you all the support you need to build you own success story as a business owner.

There is also a variety of ongoing training to help you make the most of your business and a Franchise Area Manager will be assigned to give you guidance and support whenever you need it. In addition to this, you will also benefit from the huge marketing power of the global Wonderfield brand to ensure your kiosk remains a high-profile destination for supermarket shoppers. One which is always associated with the highest possible quality of food.

Access to all the departments and personnel of the wider Wonderfield Ireland family, including thousands of some of the most experienced and knowledgeable people in the industry is all part of the package.

YOUR INVESTMENT

The cost of buying into your own Bento kiosk with the Wonderfield Ireland starts with a franchise fee from £25,000 (NI) and €35,000 (ROI) and will vary depending on the projected sales of that kiosk.

They will discuss the exact cost with you when you contact them about the location you have in mind.

You’ll also need to build in working capital to cover some opening costs, initial food orders and personal costs, while you wait for your first payments to come through. The biggest cost is the kiosk itself but that’s all been covered by Wonderfield!

The franchise agreement lasts for three years, and is renewable, subject to certain criteria being met by the franchisee, and in agreement with the franchisor.

EARNING POTENTIAL

Investing in a Bento sushi kiosk means your business is immediately ready to start trading and making great money.

This is a mature, global franchise; all their systems and supply lines are extremely well streamlined, so their franchisees can expect an excellent EBITDA of 19-20% on all their sales, which has great potential to bring you a rapid and substantial return on your investment.

Existing kiosks are currently turning over between £5000 p/w in NI, to an M & S Bento kiosk turning over more than €15000 p/w in Dublin.

AVAILABLE LOCATIONS:

Wonderfield Ireland’s goal is to have a franchisee-owned kiosk in almost every single Marks & Spencer in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Interested in learning more? Want to be part of the Wonderfield Ireland success story? If you’re looking to take on one, or maybe more locations, get in contact as soon as possible so that they can let you know what options are still available in your local area.

With a high-profile brand like Bento your local stores will be snapped up quickly; don’t hang around if you want to get in on the action!

*Source: Kantar data, as of June 2024.