{
  "id": 12285504,
  "title": "Empire Sushi eyes smaller towns, Sabah for next growth leg: CIMB",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/empire-sushi-eyes-smaller-towns-sabah-for-next-growth-leg-cimb",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-06T02:58:56.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/business/corporate/2026/10/1548734/empire-sushi-eyes-smaller-towns-sabah-next-growth-leg-cimb"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Empire Premium Food Bhd, known as Empire Sushi, is exploring expansion opportunities in smaller towns like Kangar, Kota Belud, and Kuala Terengganu, according to CIMB Securities. The firm views these areas as less competitive and ripe for growth. Empire Sushi recently opened 15 new outlets during the first half of FY27, while closing three existing ones for upgrades. This increased its total operating outlets to 155 as of Q2 FY27, a 8.4% rise from 143 outlets at the end of FY26. The company expects its store expansion to continue at a steady pace, with four new outlets set to open in October 2026 and three more in November. Another outlet will open in December, and another in January 2027. These new stores will include quick dine-in and grab-and-go formats. Empire Sushi also aims to open 18 new stores annually between FY27-FY29, slightly below its forecast of 20 new stores each year. The company sees vast geographic whitespace, particularly in Sabah, where it currently operates only 6 stores out of 155 nationwide. The upcoming 2027 Budget could further support demand due to targeted assistance and cost-of-living measures, but a potential increase in the minimum wage could slightly pressure margins. However, most employees are already paid above RM2,000 per month, so the impact is expected to be minimal. Over the long term, higher wages could boost disposable income among Empire Sushi's core customer base, supporting sales volumes and frequency. CIMB Securities retains its Buy rating on Empire Sushi, with the target price unchanged at RM1.36.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Empire Premium Food Bhd sees further expansion opportunities in less penetrated markets, particularly smaller towns such as Kangar, Kota Belud and Kuala Terengganu, CIMB Securities Sdn Bhd said.",
  "key_points": [
    "Empire Sushi explores expansion in smaller towns like Kangar and Kuala Terengganu.",
    "Company currently operates 6 stores in Sabah, aiming to increase presence.",
    "CIMB retains Buy rating on Empire Sushi with unchanged target price of RM1.36."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Empire Sushi's push into smaller towns and Sabah signals a strategic shift to tap less competitive markets and whitespace for growth, likely boosting its sales volumes and frequency.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}