How Do You Roll Sushi Franchise Update | Shark Tank Season 4
How Do You Roll, a fast-casual sushi franchise, made a memorable pitch on Shark Tank Season 4.
The business was founded by brothers Yuen and Peter Yung and offered customers a unique, build-your-own sushi experience.
The entrepreneurs secured a $1 million deal with Kevin O’Leary, but the deal ultimately fell through.
In this update, we’ll break down their Shark Tank pitch, the Sharks’ reactions, and the company’s post-show trajectory—including its expansion, financial growth, and eventual closure.
How Do You Roll Sushi Franchise Shark Tank Pitch
Who Were the Founders?
Yuen and Peter Yung grew up working in their parents’ restaurant before launching How Do You Roll in 2008.
They aimed to create a fast-casual sushi chain that made fresh, customizable sushi rolls more accessible to the average consumer.
The Shark Tank Ask
- Ask: $1 million for 12% equity
- Business Model: Franchise-based sushi restaurant chain
- Current Status at Pitch:
- 40 franchises sold (15 already open)
- 2 corporate-owned locations
- Expected gross revenue: $250,000 in franchise royalties
- Combined revenue from corporate locations: Over $1 million
Shark Responses and Deal Outcome
| Shark | Response | Reason |
| Mark Cuban | Out | Didn’t want to invest in the sushi business |
| Daymond John | Out | Low margins and concerns over fresh fish logistics |
| Robert Herjavec | Out | Not interested in the business model |
| Barbara Corcoran | Out | Didn’t see enough potential |
| Kevin O’Leary | Offer: $1M for 22% equity (later negotiated to 20%) | Required a guaranteed monthly shareholder disbursement |
Despite initial excitement, the deal with Kevin O’Leary never closed after the show.
What Happened After Shark Tank?
Growth and Expansion
Even though the Shark Tank deal didn’t go through, How Do You Roll continued expanding.
The company sold additional franchises and saw steady growth in the following years.
| Year | Milestone |
| 2013 | Continued franchise expansion |
| 2015 | Sold to a private restaurant group |
| 2021 | The business officially shut down |
At its peak, How Do You Roll had multiple locations across the U.S. However, after selling the brand in 2015, the company gradually declined. By August 2021, all locations had closed.
Revenue and Franchise Growth
| Year | Franchises Sold | Revenue from Royalties |
| 2012 (Shark Tank Pitch) | 40 | $250,000 |
| 2014 | 50+ | Estimated $500,000+ |
| 2015 (Sale of Business) | Undisclosed | Undisclosed |
While How Do You Roll initially thrived, the transition to new ownership may have contributed to its decline.
Why Did How Do You Roll Shut Down?
Several factors likely played a role in the company’s closure:
- Challenges with Franchising – Maintaining consistency across franchise locations is difficult, especially in a complex food business like sushi.
- Fresh Ingredient Logistics – The cost and complexity of handling raw fish may have made operations difficult and expensive.
- Market Competition – Fast-casual dining saw increased competition, with poke bowls and other sushi-inspired concepts gaining traction.
- Ownership Change – After selling the company in 2015, the new owners may not have been able to sustain growth.
Final Thoughts on How Do You Roll’s Journey
Despite securing a high-profile deal on Shark Tank, How Do You Roll ultimately couldn’t sustain its success.
The franchise expanded in its early years but struggled to maintain long-term viability under new ownership.
Key takeaways from their journey:
✅ Franchising can be a great growth strategy, but only with strong systems in place.
✅ Fresh food businesses face unique challenges, especially when handling perishable ingredients.
✅ A Shark Tank deal isn’t a guarantee of success, as seen with many businesses that flourish (or fail) post-show.
While How Do You Roll is no longer in business, its story remains a valuable lesson for aspiring food entrepreneurs.
Would you have invested in How Do You Roll? Share your thoughts in the comments!
