Shinjuku Station is bringing its high-tech take on all-you-can-eat sushi to Charlotte after securing a $488,000 Mecklenburg County building permit for a restaurant at 230 E. W.T. Harris Blvd. in University City. The Charlotte Business Journal reports Golden City Construction is serving as the general contractor.
District Manager Thomas Wong, who oversees the Triad region and is helping launch the Charlotte market, told WhatNow Charlotte the restaurant is expected to open in the first quarter of 2027, with construction now underway.
For Wong, however, the concept is about far more than conveyor-belt sushi. “Our group has been in the hospitality industry for more than 20 years,” he said. “After visiting Japan, where conveyor-belt sushi began, we realized there wasn’t anything like it here. We wanted to create an experience that solved the biggest frustration with traditional all-you-can-eat sushi — the wait.”
That philosophy shapes the entire dining experience. Guests can begin eating as soon as they are seated from a continuously rotating conveyor belt. If a favorite item isn’t passing by, orders are sent directly to the table by an overhead train system or robotic servers, eliminating the lengthy waits often associated with made-to-order all-you-can-eat restaurants.
“The moment you sit down, you start eating,” Wong said. “If you don’t see something you want, you order it while you’re eating, and it’s delivered by our train or robot.”
Charlotte has been on the company’s radar for more than a year. Wong said the University City location was selected because of its mix of retail, hotels and proximity to UNC Charlotte, where the brand expects its interactive approach to resonate with students and families alike.
“It’s not only the sushi,” he said. “People love the excitement, the colors, the lights, the technology and everything behind the experience.”
The Charlotte restaurant will also introduce several of Shinjuku Station’s newest innovations, including a train-car-inspired interior, oversized digital ordering screens built directly into booth tables, interactive games with prizes and rewards, and entertainment features designed to keep guests engaged throughout their visit. Wong said the latest design represents the next evolution of the concept as the company expands nationwide.
The growing brand currently operates restaurants in High Point, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, with numerous additional locations in development. Wong said franchising is also set to begin after the company received overwhelming interest from prospective operators.
