YO! Sushi, the international fast-casual sushi chain, has unveiled James Fowler as its new finance director.
The appointment of the former Whitbread executive follows the refinancing of the business earlier this year through Quilvest, the private equity group, in a process that valued it at about £50m.
Fowler, who has held the position of finance director at Whitbread’s Costa Coffee and pub-restaurant businesses, will join chief executive Robin Rowland as the group plots to grow the number of restaurants both in the UK and overseas from 45 to 100 restaurants between now and 2012.
It currently has 34 in the UK and 11 in other countries operated through franchise partnerships.
Rowland said: “James brings many years of experience in working with fast growth brands that have also been very profitable. He will be a key part of the team that brings the YO! Sushi experience to millions more people over the next few years.”
Fowler replaces Zoe Tindall, who decided to step down to pursue other opportunities following the secondary buyout with Quilvest.
