Advising restaurant chain Sticks ‘n‘ Sushi for over a decade

For over a decade, Alisa Sweeney in our Real Estate team supported by Oliver Butler, and our Commercial and Construction lawyers, have been acting for restaurant chain Sticks ‘n’ Sushi UK Limited (SnS). This Danish founded, Japanese inspired restaurant has also in that time expanded into Germany, and in the UK goes from strength to strength currently operating in thirteen locations in London, including the prestigious Battersea Power station and trendy Soho and Shoreditch (this venue being located in a hotel so includes their first ever breakfast offering) and also in Oxford and Cambridge.

Having recently completed two leases, SnS will also be expanding into the north of the country with a restaurant and large outside terrace area in Manchester’s vibrant Spinningfields, which will be opening in 2026. No doubt Sticks’ n’ Sushi will be a hit in this up market location for dining, drinking, shopping, entertainment and working with the Mancunians.

With strategically important and often sensitive sites for both institutional landlord and SnS alike our team needs to ensure completion of the lease is conditional upon matters such as the development being completed by the landlord on time and as envisaged with the unit being handed over to the required shell specification and with the required services connections, the necessary planning and/or listed building consents and with an acceptable premises licence for SnS to operate as a restaurant primarily but with an ancillary bar. For the latter we are always delighted to work closely with the licensing specialists at Poppleston Allen.

Careful consideration of the usually complex title is required and the negotiation and agreement of a suite of documents in addition to the lease is likely to include a conditional agreement, licence to alter, external seating licences, turnover rent side deeds and warranties from the contractor and professional team.

As a successful and growing business, we were also delighted to act for them when taking their new head office space in Soho and to provide further general commercial advice from time to time on various operating contracts.

Site visits following opening are always a must to enjoy the exceptional cuisine and hospitality at each individually designed restaurant!