When you’ve managed 104 stores for a global brand like Yum! Brands, you learn what operational excellence really looks like. That’s precisely the experience Abdul Wahid Karimi brought with him when he stepped into his current role as Operations Director for the Reading and Chatham franchised branches of YouMeSushi.
Today, he oversees two thriving locations and he’s preparing the team to open a third.
Karimi explains: “We took over the Reading You Me Sushi site in 2025. We spent time listening carefully to customer feedback and made improvements where needed, particularly focusing on increasing the speed of service.
We relied on our experience and operational excellence, and sales began to grow quickly. We also worked on strong promotions to attract more customers.
The Reading market is very challenging, with a lot of competition in the area. However, we have managed to perform well while maintaining our high standards and increasing customer transactions”.
It sounds simple. And it is. It all comes down to structure, training and consistency, the foundations of a strong food business. Building on the success in Reading, the team recently opened a second site in Chatham, Kent.
Karimi says: “Chatham is going really well. We are far busier than expected. Customer feedback has been outstanding.”
The Chatham restaurant offers 20 covers, with seating arranged around a glass-fronted area so customers can look outside and enjoy the atmosphere, especially at sunset. It is open seven days a week, serving both dine-in and delivery customers.
Karimi is based near the M25, which allows him to visit both sites on the same day. With easy access to the stores, he can be there quickly whenever the team needs support. However, the real strength of the business is that he doesn’t need to be in-store at all hours.
“Our reliable teams are the key to our success,” he says.
Each restaurant operates with a considered team structure with a head sushi chef, a sushi chef, a hot food section lead, front of house plus delivery drivers.
Karimi is “big on cross-training” and emphasizes food safety and standard procedures. Every team member is trained to understand multiple roles. “This means if I’m not there, they can still perform flawlessly,” ensuring smooth operations and consistent quality at all times.
That approach is already paying off. The Chatham team recently achieved their 5-star hygiene rating independently, an achievement that comes down to thorough training, good systems and accountability.
As Operations Director, Karimi’s role is hands-on and varied. He oversees accounts and payroll, supplier relationships, staff rotas and labour targets, sales targets and forecasting, recruitment, team training, and compliance with food safety and fire safety standards. He says: “I also regularly review customer feedback and ratings to see how we can improve even further and incorporate insights into staff training.”
He works closely with franchisee Mohamed Ali, overseeing the day-to-day operations while ensuring the business continues to grow in a positive way.
Karimi says: “I’ve managed many food outlets over the years and can honestly say there have been zero challenges with the YouMeSushi franchised operation. The system is well thought out and easy.”
For experienced operators considering franchising, that kind of endorsement carries weight.
Expansion
Growth hasn’t stopped at two stores.
Karimi is preparing to open another YouMeSushi branch in Canterbury soon, a location he knows well. With a strong mix of tourists, families and a large student population, the busy high street offers significant opportunity.
“YouMeSushi’s management team have been very supportive in relation to new store openings and gaining planning permission, for example,” Karimi explains. “It’s practical, hands-on assistance during the moments that matter most.”
My Secret to Success
“My secret to success is a great team and creating a good working environment day to day. Training is key, and whatever training is provided, this is the same for all team members. This means all customers will have the same great experience too.”
For prospective franchisees, Karimi’s journey shows what’s possible when operational experience meets a well-run franchise model. He says: “I’m excited about the future with YouMeSushi. There are many opportunities. I’m looking forward to welcoming more customers to our expanding portfolio of stores.”
For more information about YouMeSushi franchise opportunities please see: https://youmesushi.com/franchising/
