Chris Kramolis has been immersed in the restaurant industry since the age of 16, when he started as a busboy. With more than two decades of hands-on experience, he built a successful franchising career as an Area Developer for Tropical Smoothie Cafe, where he opened and supported 32 locations across Arkansas and Oklahoma over 15 years.

After stepping back to spend time with family, Chris knew he would eventually return to restaurant franchising—and that opportunity came when Rock N Roll Sushi found him. Instantly drawn to the brand’s fun, inclusive energy and innovative approach to sushi, Chris now leads the charge to grow Rock N Roll Sushi’s presence in Arkansas, introducing more communities to what he calls a bold, welcoming, “sushi amplified” experience.

Franchise Chatter (FC): Please tell us a little about yourself and your background in franchising. 

Chris Kramolis (CK): I started as a busboy the day I turned 16, so I’ve been around the restaurant business a long time! I got into franchising with Tropical Smoothie Cafe in 2002 as an Area Developer and opened and supported 32 locations across Arkansas and Oklahoma over the course of 15 years. I took a break for a few years to spend time with my family and knew I was going to get back into restaurant franchising at some point. Then Rock N Roll Sushi found me through a friend. I got interested and toured several locations in Alabama and knew right away this brand was a great fit and would do well in Arkansas.

FC: What sets Rock N Roll Sushi apart from other sushi restaurants in the industry? 

CK: What Gerri and Lance Hallmark did was solve a problem, and that’s not easy to do in the restaurant industry but it’s critical to success with all the competition in every category. What they saw was the sushi landscape was not very approachable to a lot of people that were curious about sushi but were apprehensive to take the first step. Lance always wanted to incorporate a Rock n Roll vibe into a restaurant concept and this provided the perfect opportunity. When you walk in a Rock N Roll Sushi, the music videos and decor let you know that everyone is welcome. It’s a very family-friendly environment.

FC: Can you tell us about Rock N Roll Sushi’s unique menu offerings and how they resonate with families and sushi lovers alike? 

CK: Going back to an approachable sushi experience, this is where the menu really kicks it in gear. Rock N Roll Sushi has the traditional raw sushi but we feature items that are fully cooked like the VIP and Thriller Roll, which are two of our top sellers. Those are our “gateway” rolls, if you will. People that are “sushi curious” will start there but you might see them trying the sashimi or nigiri a few months later – it’s really cool! We also have Hibachi which is made “back stage” but gives people that won’t try sushi an option. Or at least not yet, until they try a piece of a VIP roll off a sampler tray!

FC: What is the story behind Rock N Roll Sushi? How did the brand get its start, and how has it evolved over the years?

CK: We were inspired to create Rock N Roll Sushi after noticing that most sushi bars had the same traditional, often intimidating, or overly formal atmosphere. We wanted to change that by making sushi approachable and fun. The Rock N Roll theme was a natural fit – it’s all about energy, nostalgia, and an amplified experience. Our goal was to transport guests back to their favorite concert memories while they enjoyed sushi with bold, crave-worthy flavors, including fried and baked rolls.

FC: Rock N Roll Sushi is known for its vibrant and nostalgic atmosphere and community focus. What are some initiatives or activities that showcase this commitment?  

CK: Rock N Roll Sushi is very involved with our charity partner Reach and Teach. This is an amazing group of people that are bringing music to high school students through an immersive experience that involves not just playing instruments, but learning how to put on the total live performance. Kids learn everything from budgeting, promotion, planning, and collaboration that it takes to have a successful show. The arts are very important and Rock N Roll Sushi is the perfect partner to support this amazing cause.

FC: How has Rock N Roll Sushi embraced innovation while staying true to its roots? For example, are there any exciting menu updates or customer experience enhancements?  

CK: Our culinary department is always pushing the edges to create exciting dishes that twist traditional flavors with something unexpected. This summer we will feature Mango Madness items that incorporate a fresh, sweet touch of the tropics. The Rock N Roll Sushi app also just hit the ground running and we are very excited to introduce this to our customers which will enhance online ordering and also level up our loyalty program and give our guests a more interactive experience.

FC: The franchise is expanding into new markets. Can you share more about Rock N Roll Sushi’s growth strategy and plans for franchise development?

CK: We currently have 75 open locations with 10 more under construction, all set to open before the end of the year. Several more agreements have been signed, and those locations are in the real estate search phase.

We’re especially excited about Michigan and Virginia. Our first Detroit-area location is under development as well as Richmond, VA,, and we anticipate strong growth throughout those regions. Florida is also our fastest-growing market, with 12 locations open and several more in the pipeline. Our goal is to open 100 additional locations in the next three years, more than doubling our footprint and expanding well beyond our current concentration in the Southeast.

FC: What makes Rock N Roll Sushi an attractive investment opportunity for potential franchisees?  

CK: We’re the fastest growing sushi concept in the US and just getting started! It’s fun to get on the train early with a concept that has so much potential. It’s also a low cost investment with a smaller footprint than many full service restaurants. Our typical footprint is between 1,800 and 2,000 square feet.

FC: From a franchisee perspective, what kind of support does Rock N Roll Sushi provide to help owners succeed?

CK: We offer comprehensive training and ongoing support, including corporate training at our headquarters in Destin, FL;  on-site training before and during a new location’s launch; operations support from an experienced team; and marketing support with a focus on digital and social media strategies, ensuring franchisees can effectively engage customers in their local markets.

FC: How has Rock N Roll Sushi adapted to industry trends, such as the rise of delivery services and digital ordering?

CK: We’ve integrated robotics into our sushi production, and we’re only scratching the surface of what’s possible with automation in food prep. During COVID, we quickly adapted by fully embracing third-party delivery and expanding our pickup options. Because we met customers where they were, we retained that off-premise demand. Today, over 40% of our sales come from off-premise orders, compared to under 20% pre-pandemic.

FC: What advice would you give to someone considering franchising with Rock N Roll Sushi or entering the restaurant industry in general? 

CK: Do your homework and make sure it’s a great brand fit for you because it is a long-term commitment. You need to make sure that the franchisor truly values you as a partner and will support you every step of the way.

FC: Finally, if you could sum up the Rock N Roll Sushi experience in three words, what would they be and why?

CK: I can do it in two: Sushi Amplified! Rock N Roll Sushi is a sushi experience like no other. I love watching our guests’ faces on their first visit. The music videos and vibe get their attention immediately and then we back it up with excellent sushi and Hibachi!