Simon Woodroffe OBE

YO! Sushi

Simon Woodroffe OBE, is a British Entrepreneur and business guru. He is the founder of YO! Sushi, YOTEL and the YO! Company.
Amongst many TV and press appearances, Simon was an original dragon in Series One of the popular British TV programme, Dragons’ Den.
He conceived and created YO! Sushi, opening the first restaurant on Poland Street, Soho, in 1997. The venture succeeded, creating a chain of restaurants and popularising conveyor belt sushi in Britain.
YO! Sushi and YOTEL have become global brands and Simon continues, through the YO! Company, to conceive of new YO! ventures.
In 1999 Simon won the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, the Catey Group Restaurateur of the Year Award, and many others for his ventures including Retailer of the Year, Outstanding Retail Experience, and Design and Art Direction awards.
YO! Sushi has more than 500 locations in UK restaurants and supermarkets, and close to 100 restaurants all over the planet. In 2023 YO! Sushi was sold to Zensho Holdings for £494 million.
YOTEL has 24 sites worldwide and aims to expand to 50 hotels by 2025.
In recognition of his contribution to hospitality, Simon was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list 2006.
The Book of YO!, Simon’s first book shares the lessons and secrets of his success, candidly sharing his fears and anxieties and can be read online for free at bookofyo.com
YO! Man, Simon’s Autobiography will be published in 2025.
Learn about everything YO! at yo.co.uk