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Kura Sushi receives Virginia ABC license for Virginia Beach location

Kura Sushi receives Virginia ABC license for Virginia Beach location

Built World Virginia Beach, VA local

Revolving sushi chain lands liquor license for planned restaurant at the former Pembroke Mall site

Yesterday: ABC restaurant license issued

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

Kura Sushi, the nation's largest revolving sushi bar chain, received a Virginia ABC restaurant license on Sept. 30 for its planned location at 4554 Virginia Beach Blvd. The address sits at the entrance to the former Pembroke Mall, which is being redeveloped as Pembroke Square.

The license is one approval in a multi-step process; the company says it aims to open the 3,500-square-foot restaurant in early 2027. Virginia Beach scored high in the chain's market analysis, according to chief development officer Robert Kluger.

Why it matters

The ABC license is one approval Kura Sushi needs before serving diners at Pembroke Square, the $200 million redo of the former Pembroke Mall.

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Key Indicators

Sept 30, 2026
ABC restaurant license issued
Virginia ABC issued a restaurant license to Kura Revolving Sushi Bar at 4554 Virginia Beach Blvd.
3,500 sq ft
Planned restaurant size
Reported by the Virginian-Pilot for the new Kura location.
$200M
Pembroke Square redevelopment
Cost of the former Pembroke Mall renovation, per the Virginian-Pilot.
90+
Kura Sushi U.S. locations
Restaurants across 24 states and Washington, D.C., per the Virginian-Pilot.

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People Involved

Organizations Involved

Timeline

January 2008 September 2026

3 events Latest: Yesterday
  1. ABC restaurant license issued

    Latest Licensing

    Virginia ABC issues a restaurant license to Kura Revolving Sushi Bar at 4554 Virginia Beach Blvd.

  2. Kura Sushi announces Virginia Beach plans

    Announcement

    The company tells the Virginian-Pilot it plans a 3,500-square-foot restaurant at Pembroke Square, opening in early 2027.

  3. Kura Sushi USA founded

    Foundation

    Kura Sushi, Inc. establishes its American subsidiary to bring the revolving sushi format to the U.S.

Scenarios

1

Kura Sushi Opens at Pembroke Square

Likely Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: Kura Sushi's announced timeline to the Virginian-Pilot and the restaurant's own upcoming-locations page

Kura Sushi completes its build-out at 4554 Virginia Beach Blvd and opens the 3,500-square-foot restaurant to diners in early 2027 as announced. The ABC license is in place, and the company's website lists Virginia Beach as an upcoming location. Opening would make it the chain's first Hampton Roads restaurant.

2

Virginia Beach Opening Slips Into Late 2027

Possible Resolves by End of 2027

Discussed by: Construction schedules, which commonly shift announced restaurant opening dates

Construction, permitting or site work pushes the opening past mid-2027. The company keeps the location on its upcoming list but revises its target. The ABC license remains valid while the build-out continues.

3

Kura Sushi Pulls Out of Pembroke Square

Unlikely Resolves by Q2 2028

Discussed by: No public source predicts this; it maps the downside case of licensing or site issues

The company abandons the Virginia Beach site, removes the location from its upcoming list, or lets the ABC license lapse unused. This would follow a major change in the redevelopment or the company's strategy. It is the least likely path given the announced plans and the license already granted.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

1977

Kura Sushi's founding in Japan (1977)

Kura Sushi, Inc. opened its first revolving sushi restaurant in Japan, pioneering the conveyor-belt dining format that later spread across the country.

Then

The concept gained traction across Japan and expanded rapidly.

Now

By 2026 the company and its U.S. arm operated more than 600 locations internationally, including 90-plus in the United States.

Why this matters now

It explains Kura's expansion playbook: identify markets that fit its demographic profile, then roll out its standardized revolving-sushi format.

2008

Kura Sushi USA's establishment (2008)

Kura Sushi, Inc. created an American subsidiary, Kura Sushi USA, to bring the revolving sushi concept to the U.S. market.

Then

The U.S. arm opened locations and built the conveyor-belt format into a recognizable brand.

Now

It now claims the title of the nation's largest revolving sushi bar chain, per the Virginian-Pilot.

Why this matters now

The Virginia Beach project is the latest step in a nearly two-decade U.S. expansion that has grown to 24 states.

Sources

(5)

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