Letz Sushi

Letz Sushi was a Danish sushi restaurant chain headquartered in Copenhagen. The brand developed from a single takeaway restaurant into a multi-site food-service business with restaurant operations and a retail division supplying sushi to supermarkets and convenience stores. Its identity was closely associated with sushi, convenience, and sustainability, particularly the responsible sourcing of seafood and the broader goal of reducing pressure on the world’s oceans. Louise Ertman Baunsgaard founded the business in March 2003, opening its first takeaway restaurant at Nordre Frihavnsgade 15 in Copenhagen’s Østerbro district. During its first decade, Letz Sushi expanded from that original location by adding five further restaurants. The company’s initial format was centered on prepared sushi sold through restaurants and takeaway channels, reflecting the growing popularity of sushi in Denmark. A major expansion point came in 2013, when Letz Sushi merged with Dondon Sushi. Dondon Sushi had been founded in 2008 by Jacob Brunsborg, an heir of the Jysk business family. The merger brought the combined number of Letz Sushi restaurants to 13 and broadened the chain’s presence beyond its original growth trajectory. The resulting organization continued to operate as Letz Sushi while combining the two businesses’ restaurant networks and capabilities. In 2017, Letz Sushi became wholly owned by Lars Larsen Group. The ownership change placed the chain within a larger Danish business group while preserving Letz Sushi as a distinct consumer-facing restaurant brand. In addition to its restaurants, the company operated a retail division that delivered products to approximately 500 supermarkets and convenience stores, giving the brand a presence beyond its directly operated locations. The chain’s restaurant network included sites in central Copenhagen and surrounding districts and towns, including Østerbro, Christianshavn, Amager, Vesterbro, Nørrebro, Frederiksberg, Hellerup, Kongens Lyngby, Ringsted, and Vedbæk. At its reported peak or later operating scale, the business was associated with approximately 20 restaurants, although the available reference material does not provide a complete year-by-year location count. Leadership changed in 2023, when Søren Flemming Larsen replaced Anders Barsøe as chief executive officer. The change occurred shortly before the company’s closure. Letz Sushi shut down in 2024, ending the operation of the restaurant chain and its associated retail business. Publicly available reference material confirms the closure but does not establish a detailed financial cause or provide a full account of the company’s final restructuring or liquidation process.

Letz Sushi began in March 2003, when Louise Ertman Baunsgaard opened a sushi takeaway restaurant at Nordre Frihavnsgade 15 in Copenhagen’s Østerbro district. The original location became the starting point for a Danish restaurant business that expanded during the following decade. Before its merger with Dondon Sushi, Letz Sushi had added five restaurants to its first site, establishing a small but growing network in the Copenhagen area. In 2013, Letz Sushi merged with Dondon Sushi, a sushi chain established in 2008 by Jacob Brunsborg, an heir of the Jysk business family. The combination increased the Letz Sushi network to 13 restaurants. The merger represented the company’s principal documented expansion event and gave the brand a larger operating base in Denmark. Letz Sushi subsequently developed beyond restaurant and takeaway sales. Its business included a retail division that supplied sushi to approximately 500 supermarkets and convenience stores. This channel extended the brand’s reach beyond its own restaurants and made prepared sushi available through mainstream Danish food retailers. The company’s public positioning emphasized sustainable sushi and the protection of the world’s oceans, linking its brand identity to seafood sourcing and environmental concerns. In 2017, Lars Larsen Group acquired full ownership of Letz Sushi. The restaurant chain continued to operate as a separate brand within the group. Its locations were concentrated in Copenhagen and nearby municipalities, with restaurants listed in districts including Østerbro, Christianshavn, Amager, Vesterbro, Nørrebro, Frederiksberg, Hellerup, Kongens Lyngby, Ringsted, and Vedbæk. Reference material describes the business as having approximately 20 restaurants, alongside its retail distribution activity. A leadership transition took place in 2023, when Søren Flemming Larsen replaced Anders Barsøe as chief executive officer. The company closed in 2024. The closure ended Letz Sushi’s restaurant chain and retail division. Available sources confirm the shutdown but do not provide enough verified information to describe its financial performance, any formal insolvency proceedings, or the precise reasons for the decision.

• 2024

  Business closes

  [2]Sushikæden Letz Sushi lukker nednyheder.tv2.dk

  Letz Sushi closed its restaurant chain and associated retail operations.

• 2023

  CEO transition

  [1]Letz Sushien.wikipedia.org

  Søren Flemming Larsen replaced Anders Barsøe as chief executive officer.

• 2017

  Lars Larsen Group takes full ownership

  [1]Letz Sushien.wikipedia.org

  Letz Sushi became wholly owned by Lars Larsen Group.

• 2013

  Merger with Dondon Sushi

  [1]Letz Sushien.wikipedia.org

  Letz Sushi merged with Dondon Sushi, increasing the combined restaurant network to 13 locations.

• 2003

  First Letz Sushi takeaway opens

  [1]Letz Sushien.wikipedia.org

  Louise Ertman Baunsgaard opened the first Letz Sushi restaurant at Nordre Frihavnsgade 15 in Copenhagen in March 2003.

A Danish sushi chain positioned around accessible restaurant and takeaway sushi, with sustainability and ocean conservation as central brand themes. The business combined directly operated restaurants with packaged or prepared sushi distribution through retail partners.

• Sushi restaurant food · 2003

  Restaurant and takeaway sushi

  The core Letz Sushi offering consisted of prepared sushi sold through the chain’s restaurants and takeaway locations. The format made sushi available for dine-in and off-premises consumption across the company’s Copenhagen-area and regional sites.

• Convenience and supermarket food

  Retail sushi

  Letz Sushi operated a retail division supplying prepared sushi to approximately 500 supermarkets and convenience stores. This channel broadened the brand from a restaurant chain into a packaged or prepared-food supplier serving third-party retail outlets.

• 2024

  Closure of the businessStrategy

  Background

  After operating a restaurant network and a retail distribution division, Letz Sushi ended its business in 2024.

  Action taken

  The chain closed its restaurants and discontinued its operating activities.

  Aftermath

  Letz Sushi became a defunct Danish restaurant brand. The available sources do not state the precise financial or strategic reasons for the closure.

  Source

• 2017

  Full acquisition by Lars Larsen GroupM&A

  Background

  Letz Sushi became part of the Lars Larsen Group as the group took full ownership of the chain.

  Action taken

  Lars Larsen Group acquired 100 percent ownership of Letz Sushi.

  Aftermath

  Letz Sushi continued as a distinct sushi brand within the Lars Larsen Group until its closure in 2024.

  Source

• 2013

  Merger with Dondon SushiM&A

  Background

  Letz Sushi and Dondon Sushi combined their sushi restaurant operations after Dondon Sushi had operated as a separate chain since 2008.

  Action taken

  The businesses merged under the Letz Sushi brand, bringing the total restaurant count to 13.

  Aftermath

  The merger expanded Letz Sushi’s restaurant network and formed the basis for its subsequent larger-scale operation.

  Source

1. 1Letz Sushien.wikipedia.org
2. 2Sushikæden Letz Sushi lukker nednyheder.tv2.dk