At Ideas Fest 2025, one of the most eagerly awaited sessions is a live, unscripted conversation with Simon Woodroffe OBE, the entrepreneurial mind behind YO! Sushi and YOTEL, whose bold ideas reshaped not just the UK’s food scene but hospitality on a global scale.
Simon’s story is anything but ordinary, starting a successful business at 45 after a life-changing experience that proved anything is possible once you put your mind to it.
Before sushi and hotels, Simon was in the music business. Then, after a transformative three-day event, he realized he could achieve whatever he set his mind to. Fueled by this revelation, he immersed himself in extensive research in Japan and launched YO! Sushi, the world’s first conveyor belt sushi restaurant, opening its doors in Soho in 1997. The idea was revolutionary: fast food with flair, design, and entertainment rolled into one, a concept that would soon capture the imagination of the UK.
Simon’s entrepreneurial journey didn’t stop there. After selling his controlling stake in YO! Sushi in 2003, he remained an active entrepreneur, retaining shares until he eventually sold his final stake. But his ambitions were far from over.