From Adversity to Triumph, Chhong Norbu Sherpa Transforms London’s Sushi Scene

London- Chhong Norbu Sherpa’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. Arriving in London as a student with little to his name, Sherpa has built a thriving sushi empire with 25 outlets under his “IRO” brand. His story is one of perseverance, innovation, and community empowerment, offering inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs.

From operating out of a small kitchen to expanding across London and beyond, Sherpa has redefined what it means to scale a business in a competitive market. Now poised for international expansion, IRO is set to bring its vibrant sushi flavours to new horizons, solidifying Sherpa’s legacy as a visionary in the culinary world.

Humble Beginnings in Nepal

Chhong Norbu Sherpa was born in July 1987 in Chilankha, Bigu Rural Municipality, Dolakha district, Nepal. His childhood was marked by hardship. To buy basic necessities like salt, oil, and rice, his family had to walk for two days, either to Khasa, a small border town in Tibet, China, near the Nepal-Tibet border or Charikot, the administrative headquarters of Dolakha District in Nepal. Even attending school required a two-hour walk each way. “There was no concept of luxury in my life,” Sherpa reflects on those challenging early years. These experiences instilled a sense of resilience and determination that would later define his entrepreneurial journey.

Early Struggles and the Journey to London

In July 2009, Chhong Norbu Sherpa arrived in London from Nepal with hopes for a better future. However, his initial days in London were far from easy. For nearly eight months, he struggled to find work, surviving by borrowing money from friends. Later, Sherpa found work at a Nepali restaurant in North Hampton, earning just 80 pounds for four days of work each week. “It was nearly impossible to manage, especially when I had to travel such a long distance from Plumstead in London,” he recalls.

The Turning Point: Sushi Chef and Business Beginnings

In April 2010, Sherpa’s fortunes began to change when he secured a job as a sushi chef through a friend. This marked the start of his journey into the culinary world. While managing two jobs, Sherpa also pursued his studies at Maritime Greenwich College, initially focusing on Information Technology (IT). Balancing work, studies, and the instability of college closures was a significant challenge. He eventually transferred to South London College, switching his major to Business Management.

In 2014, Sherpa took his first entrepreneurial leap, starting his own sushi business. By the end of 2015, he completed his postgraduate studies in Hospitality Management at Westminster College. After this, he decided to focus entirely on his business.

Today, Sherpa’s transformation from a struggling student to a successful entrepreneur is a source of inspiration. He recently opened the 25th branch of his sushi brand, ‘IRO’ (meaning ‘colourful’ in Japanese).

Building the IRO Empire

IRO began with humble beginnings in 2014 with an outlet opening at Clapham Junction, operating out of a sandwich kitchen in an industrial area. Sherpa started with an initial investment of just five thousand pounds. The business supplied sandwiches to hotels and airlines during the day, while Sherpa used the kitchen in the evenings to prepare sushi for online sales.

The business flourished, and by 2015, Sherpa opened an IRO sushi restaurant on High Street, using a Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) model offering dine-in and home delivery options. Profits from his first restaurant enabled him to open additional branches in Fulham and Greenwich by 2018, followed by a fourth branch near Tower Bridge.

Today, IRO operates with over 200 workers. Sherpa proudly shares that his sushi empire generates a turnover of £1.5 million per month, amounting to approximately £18 million annually.

The Discovery of Franchising and Growth During COVID

Sherpa’s introduction to franchising was a game-changer for IRO. “At first, I didn’t even know what franchising was. I learned about it by reading books and watching YouTube,” he recalls. This model allowed IRO to expand rapidly, particularly during the COVID pandemic when demand for delivery surged.

During the pandemic, new branches opened in Highgate, South Norwood, Welling, Purley, Camden, Stratford, Reading, Slough, Croydon, Dartford, and Palmers Green. Later, additional branches opened in Bromley, Chingford, Orpington, Sidcup, Stoke Newington, Woolwich, Eltham, Penge, Lewisham and Brighton.

Sherpa’s vision now extends beyond London. He is preparing to open branches in Maidstone, Canterbury, Watford, Cambridge and Peterborough. With a goal of opening 10 branches a year, Sherpa is determined to expand IRO to all four countries of the United Kingdom.

Global Ambitions and Personal Life

Sherpa’s ambitions don’t stop at the UK. Starting next year, he plans to expand IRO into America and Europe. “The U.S. is a huge market, and this will be a real test for me,” he says, viewing this as a crucial milestone in his entrepreneurial journey.

Despite his success, Sherpa remains grounded. He currently lives in Greenwich, London, with his wife, Dechenla Lama, and their two children, cherishing the support of his family as he builds his legacy.