Opening process
How does the Hissho franchise opening process work?
Approx. 60–90 days
Official FDD estimate after the site and agreements are in place
For a new, non-operating Food Retail Unit, the 2026 FDD estimates about 60–90 days from an acceptable site plus executed Franchise Agreement and location lease to readiness. Separately, the Franchise Agreement requires opening within 60 days after execution. Because the triggers differ, confirm the signing, training, site and designated-opening sequence before committing.
Data basis: Hissho International, LLC; 2026 Multi-State Franchise Disclosure Document issued April 24, 2026; Full Service Sushi Bar, Satellite Sushi Bar, and Asian Food Bar; timeline mode:
official total timeline estimate. Evidence: FDD Items 1, 5–12, 15–17 and 20; Franchise Agreement §§1, 5–7, 13 and 15. Checked July 17, 2026. The
official Hissho franchise page supplies only supplemental application criteria; the FDD and signed agreements control contractual requirements.
60 days
Contract opening deadline
New, non-operating unit; from Franchise Agreement execution.
30 days
Proposed-site decision
From Hissho's receipt of a complete site application.
20 days
Proposed-lease review
Approval or rejection with comments after receipt.
10 / 15
Training days
Approx. single program / combined Sushi + Asian Food programs.
14 days
Federal FDD review period
Calendar days before signing or payment to franchisor/affiliate.
Qualification
What must a Hissho applicant qualify for before signing?
Hissho's public page lists screening criteria; the FDD adds entity, Guaranty, Operating Principal and training obligations. Meeting listed criteria does not guarantee approval. Neither source publishes a minimum credit score or mandatory years of restaurant experience.
Application criteriaAge 21+; legal ability to work in the U.S.; ability to pass drug, background and credit checks.
Financial screeningProvide the past three months of bank statements and show the $10,000–$15,000 minimum capital listed on Hissho's official franchise page.
Practical requirementsBusiness insurance, English proficiency, reliable transportation and ability to train in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
Franchisee entityThe Franchise Agreement must be signed by an approved legal entity, not by an individual or sole proprietorship; governing documents are due on or before signing.
Owner commitmentsEvery owner signs the Guaranty; spouse guaranties may also be required.
Operating PrincipalOne individual must devote full time and best efforts to supervision, successfully complete required training, and be individually bound by the Guaranty.
Sources: 2026 FDD Items 1, 5 and 15; Franchise Agreement §§6–7; official Hissho franchise requirements. The application asks about experience but states no universal minimum.
Verified roadmap
What are the actual steps from inquiry to opening?
The evidence supports eight stages. The applicant controls qualification, entity documents and training; Hissho/Lwin commonly controls the Retail Host relationship; landlords, Retail Hosts, certification providers and government authorities can create separate dependencies.
1
Submit inquiry and application information
Action: Provide contact, preferred-market, work-authorization, experience and screening information.
Actor: Applicant.
Timing: No complete application-review duration is disclosed.
Next dependency: Hissho decides whether to continue qualification and what location/format may be available.
2
Complete qualification and owner screening
Action: Meet the published criteria and complete owner background, credit and drug-test screening after application approval.
Actor: Applicant and Hissho.
Timing: No application fee; FDD discloses a $200 per-owner screening fee after approval.
Blocker: Screening or Retail Host requirements can stop the process.
3
Receive and review the FDD before signing or paying
Action: Review the FDD, Franchise Agreement, Guaranty, training agreement and attachments.
Actor: Applicant; Hissho provides disclosure.
Timing: At least 14 calendar days before a binding agreement or payment to Hissho or an affiliate.
Next dependency: The disclosure period is not application approval.
4
Form the entity and execute the governing documents
Action: Form the approved entity, deliver governing documents, sign the Franchise Agreement and Guaranties, and pay the applicable initial fee.
Actor: Franchisee entity, owners and Hissho.
Timing: Governing documents are due on or before execution.
Blocker: Attachment A or an addendum must identify the unit type and location.
5
Lock down the approved location path
Action: Use a Hissho/Lwin-controlled location or obtain approval for a proposed site and self-secured occupancy agreement.
Actor: Hissho, franchisee, Retail Host and possibly landlord.
Timing: Site decision within 30 days; lease decision within 20 days after receipt.
Blocker: Rejection or loss of Retail Host rights prevents or ends the location right.
6
Complete certification and required training
Action: Submit ServSafe certification before training; the Operating Principal and all equity owners complete required Hissho training.
Actor: Principal Trainees, Hissho trainers and certification provider.
Timing: Approx. 10 days per program or 15 combined; completion required within 60 days of signing.
Blocker: Failure can lead to termination; chef training may add 10–20 days.
7
Complete pre-opening readiness
Action: Finalize permits, insurance, approved supplies, equipment, inventory, staffing, technology and Retail Host requirements.
Actor: Franchisee, Hissho/Lwin, Retail Host, suppliers and government authorities.
Timing: Must be complete before opening; local issuance and installation times vary.
Blocker: Missing approvals, systems, credentials or permits delay readiness.
8
Open on the required date
Action: Begin operations after pre-opening requirements are satisfied at the designated location.
Actor: Franchisee; Hissho controls contractual location rights and opening expectations.
Timing: New units: within 60 days after Franchise Agreement execution; existing operating units: generally as of execution, subject to training.
Blocker: Missing Hissho's designated opening date can trigger immediate termination.
Federal disclosure timing: FTC Consumer's Guide to Buying a Franchise and the FTC Franchise Rule overview. Contract sequence: 2026 FDD Items 5, 9 and 11; Franchise Agreement §§5–7 and 15.
Site approval
Does site approval give a Hissho franchisee a protected territory?
No. The FDD authorizes a specific Food Retail Unit location, not an exclusive territory. Hissho may select the location or approve one proposed by the franchisee, while Hissho/Lwin typically secures the Retail Host relationship. Hissho and affiliates retain rights to operate, license others and use alternate channels.
Site approval is not territory protection
Site approval, lease approval and the Retail Host operating right are separate. If Hissho or its affiliate loses or has its host right limited, the franchisee's right can end or shrink too, with no contractual promise of replacement or compensation.
For a franchisee-proposed site, Hissho has 30 days after receiving the site application to approve or reject it with comments. If the franchisee controls occupancy, the proposed lease or agreement is due within 30 days after site approval; Hissho then has 20 days to respond.
| Official format |
Agreement path |
Location dependency |
Opening-process difference |
| Full Service Sushi Bar |
Franchise Agreement + Attachment A |
Specific approved location |
Sushi training; Hissho Label System required. |
| Satellite Sushi Bar |
Addendum to an existing Franchise Agreement |
Must be near a Full Service Sushi Bar |
No on-site sushi preparation; not standalone. |
| Asian Food Bar |
Franchise Agreement + Attachment A |
Specific approved location |
Separate ~10-day program; Hissho may require both formats at one location. |
Source: 2026 FDD Items 1, 8, 11 and 12; Franchise Agreement §§1 and 5. No Development or Area Development Agreement was identified; additional units use addenda when offered and accepted.
Timeline evidence
Which Hissho opening periods can actually be compared?
These periods are not additive: triggers differ and work may overlap. The 60–90 day estimate starts after an acceptable site, Franchise Agreement and location lease are in place; the 60-day contract obligation starts at agreement execution.
Verified opening-related durations and deadlines
Scale: 0–90 days. Values are plotted for comparison only; do not add them into a total timeline.
New-site readiness estimate
60–90
Contract opening deadline
60
Federal FDD review period
14
Combined initial training
15
Single initial program
10
Interpretation: align triggers rather than add periods. Source: 2026 FDD Item 11, pp. 34–42; Franchise Agreement §§5 and 7; FTC disclosure rule.
Contractual deadline
The FDD's 60–90 day readiness estimate and the contract's 60-day opening obligation use different start events. Before signing, verify the execution date, site/occupancy status, training dates and Hissho's designated opening date. Missing that designated date can permit immediate termination.
Training
What must be completed before Hissho training and opening?
Before initial training, the franchisee or Operating Principal must submit a current ANAB-accredited ServSafe Food Protection Manager certificate. Before opening, the Operating Principal and every equity owner must complete required Hissho training to its satisfaction; the FDD suggests graduating about four weeks before a new-unit opening.
Each Sushi Bar or Asian Food Bar program is approximately 10 days; taking both together is approximately 15 days. A program may extend to 20 days for insufficient experience, and an equity owner may also be required to complete 10–20 days of Sushi Chef Training. The standard curriculum discloses 31 classroom and 50 on-the-job hours.
Food safety credentialSubmit ServSafe before training and verify any additional state/local food-safety credential.
Required traineesOperating Principal and every equity owner complete the applicable Initial Training Program to Hissho's satisfaction.
Training deadlineApplicable training must be successfully completed within 60 days after Franchise Agreement execution.
Staffing readinessMaintain on-premises manager supervision; at least one ServSafe-certified person must be on duty.
Systems and suppliesUse approved sources; Full Service units sign the Equipment Lease and Software License Agreement before Hissho Label System access.
Employment complianceThe Franchise Agreement requires the franchisee entity to enroll in E-Verify and use it with Form I-9 procedures for new hires.
References: ServSafe Manager; E-Verify enrollment; 2026 FDD Items 8, 11 and 15; Franchise Agreement §7.
Responsibility map
Who controls each opening dependency?
Franchisee readiness does not replace Hissho's location rights, approvals, or third-party permits and Retail Host requirements.
Applicant / franchisee
Complete qualification, screening and requested financial documents.
Create the entity, provide governing documents and owner Guaranties.
Complete ServSafe and Hissho training; staff and supervise the Food Retail Unit.
Meet permit, insurance, employment and approved-source requirements.
Hissho / affiliate
Approve or reject franchisee-proposed sites and self-secured lease terms.
Provide the Initial Training Program and determine satisfactory completion.
Deliver required equipment, signs, fixtures, opening inventory and supplies through Hissho/Lwin; the retail partner generally installs them.
Grant the location operating right when Hissho or an affiliate controls it.
Third parties
Retail Host controls host rules, performance standards and the premises relationship.
Government authorities control licenses, permits and inspections.
ServSafe/ANAB-accredited providers control certification testing.
Landlord or occupancy counterparty controls a self-secured site agreement, subject to Hissho approval.
Source: 2026 FDD Items 8, 10–12 and Franchise Agreement §§5 and 7. Hissho is not contractually obligated to send opening personnel.
Opening deadline
Which deadlines and failure points matter most before opening?
The key deadline is the 60-day requirement for a non-operating unit to prepare and open after execution, alongside Hissho's designated opening date. Site, training, Retail Host and third-party dependencies should be aligned before the agreement date is set.
Before signing/paymentReceive the FDD at least 14 calendar days before signing a binding agreement or paying Hissho or an affiliate in connection with the franchise sale.
After site approvalIf the franchisee secures the location, provide the proposed lease or occupancy agreement within 30 days; Hissho then has 20 days after receipt to respond.
After agreement executionNew, non-operating Food Retail Unit: prepare and open within 60 days. Principal Trainees also must successfully complete applicable initial training within 60 days.
At designated openingFailure to open on Hissho's designated opening date is listed as a default that Hissho may treat as immediately terminable without a cure opportunity.
General curable defaultsFor defaults not covered by the agreement's immediate-termination provisions, the general contractual cure period is 15 days after written notice, subject to longer periods required by applicable law.
Buyer verification
What should a prospective Hissho franchisee verify before committing?
Verify the exact location path, format, training schedule and opening date for the transaction. The questions below target unresolved dependencies in the FDD.
Format and brandWhich Food Retail Unit type and Proprietary Mark will appear in Attachment A, and is a Satellite or Asian Food Bar also expected?
Location controlDoes Hissho/Lwin already control the Retail Host location, or must the franchisee propose a site and secure a separate occupancy agreement?
Deadline alignmentHow will signing, the 60-day opening obligation, 60–90 day estimate and designated opening date align?
Training capacityWhich owners are Principal Trainees, which program or combined program is required, and could Sushi Chef Training be added?
Third-party approvalsWhich permits, inspections, Retail Host clearances and local food-safety credentials are required?
Existing operatorsAsk Item 20 / Exhibit C contacts about actual approval, training, host onboarding and opening timing.
The FTC recommends reviewing all 23 FDD Items and speaking with current and former franchisees. Hissho's official FAQ is supplemental to the FDD and signed agreements.
Synthesis
What is the verified Hissho opening path?
The verified path is qualification, FDD review, entity and Guaranty setup, signing, location/lease approval, ServSafe and Hissho training, pre-opening readiness, then opening. The total timeline is an official 60–90 day FDD estimate for a new site after stated prerequisites—not a promise. The main applicant dependency is timely entity, certification and training completion; the main outside dependency is Hissho/Retail Host location control plus government approvals. Before signing, resolve how the 60-day contract deadline aligns with the site, training and designated opening date.
