Robin Rowland has led YO! Sushi?s growth over the past 12 years. He joined the company when there were 4 London restaurants. As CEO Robin put the team and systems in place to grow the business to 62 UK restaurants and 13 overseas today. In 2003 Robin led the first Management Buyout backed by Primary Capital at 11 UK restaurants and 4 ? years later a second Management Buyout at 30 UK restaurants in March 2008 backed by Quilvest. Building on 30 years of multi-site restaurant experience Robin?s Strategy for growth is centred on continual improvement of 5 Ps ? Product, Property, People, Promotion and Profit. His vision is based on building successful teams, constant innovation, flat structure, open/direct communication, rewarding and fun environment in each & every restaurant.
Robin started out at Whitbread Inns PLC as a Graduate trainee Pubs Area Manager in 1984 in Kent , he was recruited by Diageo PLC in 1988 to develop the ?Old Orleans? national chain of US theme restaurants( 2 to 24 sites). In 1992 Scottish & Newcastle PLC acquired the business and Robin moved to managing a 120+ site national division of hotels, premium London pubs and restaurants. The Last (semi) corporate role for Robin started in 1995 joined The Restaurant Group PLC as first Retail & then Group Franchising Director positions. By 1999 Robin was looking for an entrepreneurial opportunity and first met YO! Sushi?s founder.
Robin and YO! Sushi?s team success have been recognised by a number of awards most notably?2008 ?Group Restaurateur of the Year? awarded from Catey Academy, 2011 ?Retailer of the Year Award? and ?Best Company? from M&C, R150 ?best restaurant design? and YO! Sushi?s achievement 4 years in a row (08-12) making the Times PE backed ?Buyout 100 fast track? list.
Robin has a wide established sector network as founder of the 50/20 restaurants group and NED positions with Marstons PLC and Caffe Nero.
A Londoner born and bred, Robin lives in a 17th century farmhouse in the Surrey Hills with his wife, 3 young children and collection of terriers, chickens and micro pigs.