Dor Li is a multi-site, multi-state Sushi Sushi franchise owner who has spent years building his career inside the brand starting as a team member, rising through management, and eventually becoming a franchise owner across multiple states.

In episode 155 - Dor shares his full journey from arriving in Australia as an international student, studying commercial cookery, managing company-owned stores, becoming an area manager across WA and Queensland, and finally stepping into franchise ownership in regional Victoria and Western Australia.

We talk about how he transitioned from head office to owning stores, how he builds strong store teams, why staff training is the real key to scaling multiple locations, and what it takes to grow from one store to six — with a seventh on the way.

0:00 Introduction

0:41 Moving from China to Australia as a student

02:20 Learning to cook out of necessity and living independently

03:47 First job at Sushi Sushi and early impressions 

5:54 Becoming a store manager in a company-owned store

07:04 Moving to Western Australia as Area Manager

08:25 Rapid expansion and opening multiple stores per month

10:18 Overseeing WA and Queensland operations 

11:51 Moving back to Melbourne to lead training and projects

12:44 The decision to become a franchise owner

15:06 COVID, leaving head office, and buying regional stores 

16:58 How Dor adds new stores and builds management teams 

18:39 What Dor looks for in future store opportunities

19:35 Wrap up

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