Owner Ken Dong prepares to deliver a plate of sushi to customers at the Fuji Steak and Sushi restaurant he has opened on Overnite Drive, across I-75 from Hamilton Place.• Name: Fuji Steak & Sushi
• Location: The new restaurant is just off Highway 153 in Hixson at the corner of Gadd Road, the third Fuji restaurant in the area.
• Owner: Ken Dong
• Food: The restaurant's specialty is in the title: steak and sushi. There's lots of each, with a lengthy menu that ranges from a couple of dollars for soup and less expensive entrees up to $50 for a sushi meal for three. Special menus offer $1 sushi during the week, including popular options like California rolls, salmon and tuna. Patrons sit at the grill and watch the chef create their meal; they can enjoy fresh sushi at a special sushi bar, or they can sit at a table with a normal menu. A full bar is also available.
• Appearance: The restaurant has a warm atmosphere, with generous use of wood and stone under comfortable lighting. A touch of modernity is lent by the creative use of recycled steel, tile and glass accents.
• Age: The restaurant celebrated its grand opening on Sept. 9.
• Startup investment: $500,000
• Estimated annual sales: $100,000
• Target market: The restaurant has found success with families, and children especially enjoy the hibatchi grill. The quiet tables are also acceptable for dates or for a ladies night.
• Biggest hurdle: The restaurant's construction took longer than expected because of delays with inspections, wiring and the aquisition of materials, pushing back the opening from March to September.
• Biggest reward: Now that the restaurant is finished, hearing the compliments from customers about the new look is extremely rewarding, employees say.
• Challenges in the future: Building customer loyalty in a new location
• Lesson learned: Getting many bids for work is important.
• Five-year goal: To build another store