Itsu steps into sports catering

Asian-inspired restaurant and retail brand Itsu has expanded into sports catering after securing an agreement to provide sushi at London’s Emirates Stadium.

Its partnership with Delaware North will see Itsu sushi being served at the hospitality boxes of Arsenal Football Club’s home stadium in Holloway.

It comes soon after the launch of Itsu’s catering business, which supplies sushi platters and salads to corporate offices, universities and financial institutions.

Speaking at Casual Dining Show in September this year, Julian Metcalfe, founder of Itsu, also revealed its grocery business will soon “be bigger than the restaurant business”, hinting at the sushi chain’s plans for constant diversification.

Neil Miller, Itsu’s chief customer officer, said: “We’re reaching out to customers wherever they are – on the high street, in the office or at a major event. By expanding into new channels, we’re making Itsu accessible to more people, in more places, every day.”

Yvette Chatwin, catering services director at Delaware North, added: “Partnering with Itsu enhances the experience for our corporate hospitality guests attending Emirates Stadium, offering fresh, nutritious food while watching our events.”

In 2024, Itsu opened six new sites across the UK and France, with its seventh location due to launch next week on London’s Oxford Street.