Sushi Shop operates under MTY Food Group's franchisor umbrella across standalone shops and mall or food-court units, but what actually sets a sushi resale apart from a typical quick-service diligence list is the raw-fish handling and cold-chain practices behind the counter — that draws a different level of health-unit attention than a format built around cooked food alone.
Sushi Shop resales follow the franchisor's own approval process on top of the usual purchase mechanics — here's how the two run together.
Getting approved
The offer sets price and structure, conditioned on franchisor consent and an assignable premises agreement — a standalone shop's lease and a mall unit's licence agreement follow different clocks.
1–2 weeks†MTY Food Group, as franchisor, reviews the proposed buyer and deal terms, and may exercise a right of first refusal before the sale can proceed.
several weeks, typically†A franchise disclosure document may still be required for this resale — Ontario courts read the resale-disclosure exemption narrowly, so franchisor involvement in the sale can trigger it even where it's framed as a private deal.
assessed early†Getting to closing
The landlord's or mall's consent to assign runs alongside a screening-level review of the unit's cold-chain and raw-fish handling practices — the specific food-safety profile a sushi counter carries.
2–6 weeks†The incoming owner or a designated manager typically completes sushi-preparation and food-handler training specific to raw-fish service before or shortly after taking over.
1–3 weeks†Funds and keys change hands, perishable fish and prepared-food inventory is counted and settled at cost, and the franchisor confirms the transfer is complete.
1 day, once conditions are met†Official mtyfranchising.com brand page actively recruiting franchisees; a large national network under MTY Food Group ownership
National sushi retail/QSR chain; franchise inquiry form lists Ontario as a selectable province for new restaurants
This is the first real decision in a Sushi Shop resale — and it changes what you're buying, what you're taking on, and how the franchise agreement moves.
| Question | Asset purchase | Share purchase |
|---|---|---|
| What you buy | The unit's prep and display equipment, leasehold improvements, inventory, and the franchise agreement's benefit, subject to franchisor consent. | The shares of the operating company — everything it owns, and everything it owes. |
| Franchisor consent & ROFR | Required for the specific unit, reviewed by MTY Food Group as franchisor. | Required for the change of control itself — the franchisor reviews who is actually taking over. |
| Raw-fish handling & cold chain | A screening-level review of cold-storage and raw-fish handling practices is a standard part of diligence before the assets change hands. | Historical handling practices attach to the corporation, so past records matter even more on a share sale. |
| The premises | A standalone shop's lease or a mall unit's licence agreement needs consent to assign — different processes with different timelines. | Usually stays in place, unless the agreement has its own change-of-control clause. |
| Tax angle | Buyer gets a stepped-up cost base on the assets purchased. | Seller may access the lifetime capital gains exemption on qualifying shares. |
| Typical use | The default for most single-unit resales. | Less common — occasionally used where an operator holds several units under one company. |
The unit's prep and display equipment, leasehold improvements, inventory, and the franchise agreement's benefit, subject to franchisor consent.
The shares of the operating company — everything it owns, and everything it owes.
Required for the specific unit, reviewed by MTY Food Group as franchisor.
Required for the change of control itself — the franchisor reviews who is actually taking over.
A screening-level review of cold-storage and raw-fish handling practices is a standard part of diligence before the assets change hands.
Historical handling practices attach to the corporation, so past records matter even more on a share sale.
A standalone shop's lease or a mall unit's licence agreement needs consent to assign — different processes with different timelines.
Usually stays in place, unless the agreement has its own change-of-control clause.
Buyer gets a stepped-up cost base on the assets purchased.
Seller may access the lifetime capital gains exemption on qualifying shares.
The default for most single-unit resales.
Less common — occasionally used where an operator holds several units under one company.
We tell you which structure fits — before you sign anything.
No open-ended hourly surprises — the cost is confirmed in writing before any work begins.
| Type of work | Fee | How it's confirmed |
|---|---|---|
| Straightforward purchase or sale | Starting from $3,388.87 Our charges · taxes included | Confirmed in writing once we see the agreement. |
| Larger or more complex deal | Quoted to scope | Short call → fixed written quote before any work begins. |
| Searches, filings & third-party fees | At cost | Itemized on your invoice, not marked up. |
A single Sushi Shop unit changing hands between one buyer and one seller, with a clean cold-chain review and a straightforward premises consent.
Start my file →A multi-unit operator adding a Sushi Shop location to an existing portfolio, or a resale where a raw-fish handling issue needs to be resolved before terms are final.
Book a consultation →Not sure which you are? That's our job to figure out, not yours. As a rough guide, most deals under a couple of million dollars are the first kind — above that, you're usually in Mergers & Acquisitions territory.
Yes, generally — cold-chain records and raw-fish handling practices are a standard focus of a screening-level review here, since that's the food-safety risk a sushi counter carries daily, rather than the broader concerns a full kitchen might raise.
Sushi Shop operates under MTY Food Group, which franchises a number of Canadian food banners from one corporate structure — worth knowing because the consent process typically runs through that centralized franchisor relationship.
The premises step does — a mall unit typically runs under a licence agreement with its own consent process and timeline, separate from a standalone shop's commercial lease, even though the franchisor's own review is handled the same way either format.
Sushi preparation and food-handler training specific to raw-fish service is typically required of the incoming owner or a designated manager, distinct from general food-handler certification alone.
Possibly. Ontario courts have read the resale-disclosure exemption narrowly, and franchisor involvement in matching a buyer to a seller can be enough to trigger a full disclosure requirement even where the deal is framed as a private resale.
Related
Where we close franchise resale deals
Treadstone Law is an independent law firm. We act for buyers and sellers of franchise businesses. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or retained by Sushi Shop or its franchisor.
Tell us about your Sushi Shop resale — we'll point you the right way and confirm the cost in writing before any work begins.