US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce has named Hissho Sushi as “one of its Fast 100 Asian American companies that have demonstrated resilience and performance with excellence.  Together the Fast 100 generated annual revenue of $3 billion, despite the global economic challenges.  The country values Hissho’s contributions to the economic vitality of American life.”
Hissho Sushi, headquartered in Charlotte NC, is a thriving sushi /and-or/ hot bar franchise business which currently has 878 locations in 39 states plus the District of Columbia.  Philip Maung, the CEO, came to the United States from Myanmar in 1989 with only $13 in his pocket, and started his sushi business in 1998.

Today is St. Patrick’s Day all over the world, and we at Hissho wish you the Blessings of the Irish to carry you through your day. With the 1^st quarter coming close to an end, and daylight’s savings time is a few days under our belt, we look around and see God’s glorious beauty everywhere. Nowhere is it more beautiful than Charlotte, NC. I “know” this city is magical, otherwise how could everything seem to bloom at the same time for weeks on end. Some breeze through the day, others stare at what is ahead of them in a blur. But nobody can be immune to the beauty that surrounds us during this season of “rebirth.”
The Canadian geese are back, our resident Blue Heron can be seen stalking the fish in our retaining pond, the birds are singing, and there is lightness in our step that comes with the territory. All around Hissho, the air is abuzz with new store openings, the training of new hires is on-going, and our kitchens humming. The food being “put out” is amazing, the air of confidence exuded by our chefs is akin to puffery, and the extra pounds put on after indulging so many hot bar lines, or cases piled with freshly made sushi, give new meaning to the pause of “everything in moderation.”
But as for moderation, the beauty that surrounds Hissho is anything but. The flowering trees and shrubbery literally will take your breath away. We are so blessed, and we realize it, and each day is like opening a new gift. We are not selfish, so are sharing our gifts with you. Happy Spring everyone, and hope the beauty that is around you is not missed as you go about your daily routine.

Charlotte SmartCEO Announces the 2016 Future 50 Award Winners

50 Greater Charlotte companies to be recognized for fast growth in SmartCEO’s Future 50 Awards program

https://staging.hisshosushibeer.bar/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2016/02/chceo_Future50_PreEventPR_2016.pdf

Charlotte, NC (Feb. 18, 2016) — SmartCEO is pleased to announce the 2016 Future 50 Award winners. The program recognizes Greater Charlotte’s 50 fastest-growing mid-sized companies that have experienced outsized growth based on a combined three-year average of revenue and employee growth. The 2016 Future 50 winners collectively generate more than $1.53 billion in annual revenue and employ over 10,300 individuals. This impressive group will be recognized in SmartCEO magazine and celebrated at a black-tie-optional awards ceremony on April 27, 2016 at the Hilton Charlotte Center City.

Please see below for a complete list of winners and for program details. To share in the excitement leading up to the event, follow us @SmartCEO #Future50.

“Ask any CEO and they’ll tell you that leading a fast-growing company is one of the most challenging and fun things an entrepreneur can do. Whether they’re just starting out or rapidly trying to scale an established operation, this year’s Future 50 winners have executed their growth visions year after year, created job opportunities and made our region a better place to work and live,” says Jaime Nespor-Zawmon, President of SmartCEO Events. “There is nothing these amazing entrepreneurs can’t do if they put their minds to it. We honor them for their unwavering determination to rise above the rest and build the future of our region, our nation, and the world at large.”

More than 500 local business executives and guests are expected to attend this year’s black-tieoptional awards gala at the Hilton Charlotte Center City to celebrate the winners and their achievements. The event will kick off with a cocktail reception and high-energy networking followed by a video-packed awards ceremony and seated dinner. The evening and celebration will culminate with dessert and additional networking.

2016 Future 50 Awards

Date: Wednesday, April 27, 2016

VIP Reception: 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

General Reception: 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Location: Hilton Charlotte Center City 222 E. 3rd St., Charlotte, NC 28202

Attire: Black-tie optional

2016 Future 50 Winners

Alan Simonini Homes LLC

Anointed Flooring, Inc.

Armstrong Transport Group

Artisan Signs and Graphics

Avant Garde Technologies

Barton Contracting Corporation

Boxman Studios, LLC

Carolina’s Home Medical Equipment, Inc.

CCS Construction Staffing

CDI Southeast

Command Partners

Costner Law Office, PLLC

ettain group Inc.

Fab Fours, Inc.

The Greene Group

ImagineSoftware (Technology Partners, Inc.)

In-Flight Crew Connections

Independent Advisor Alliance

InfoSense, Inc.

InnerVision Inc.

Intelligent Buildings, LLC

Jackrabbit Technologies, Inc.

Lakeside Project Solutions

LandDesign, Inc.

LBA Haynes Strand, PLLC

LogoNation, Inc.

Lwin Family Co. (dba Hissho Sushi)

modPALEO

Movement Mortgage

NoDa Brewing Company

OrthoCarolina

Party Reflections

Peak 10, Inc.

Red Moon Marketing

Remi

Rhythm Systems

Search Solution Group

SeedSpark

SMD

Something Classic Catering & Cafés

SPAN Enterprises

Spangler Restoration

Strategic Power Systems, Inc.

T1V

TalentBridge

Tattoo Projects

Teguar

Titan Electric

Verigent, LLC

WDS, Inc.

About the Future 50 Awards
The Future 50 Awards program is the largest and most highly anticipated SmartCEO awards program of the year. This program recognizes 50 of the region’s fastest growing mid-sized companies. These companies represent the future of the region’s economy and embody the entrepreneurial spirit critical for leadership and success. The winners, chosen based on a threeyear average of employee and revenue growth, are listed alphabetically, not ranked. The winners are profiled in SmartCEO magazine and celebrated at a black-tie-optional awards ceremony.
 
About SmartCEO
SmartCEO’s mission is to educate and inspire the business community through its award winning magazine, connections at C-level events and access to valuable online resources. SmartCEO’s integrated media platforms reach decision makers in the Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, New York, Philadelphia and Washington, DC, metropolitan areas. To find out more about the 2017 Future 50 Awards nomination process, email us at CharlottePrograms@smartceo.com. For information about sponsorship opportunities, email us at Charlotte@smartceo.com.

Hissho continually brings in new Franchisees to our Headquarters in Charlotte, NC for weeks of extensive training.  Some come with experience, and some not.  However, at the end of the training period, all leave with the skills in place to operate a healthy, functioning, profitable business which they will own.  Hissho offers this cost effective opportunity to motivated individuals.   This week, Hissho is training 9 new individuals who will be running their own sushi bars across the country, from California to New York.  The nice part about their training is that for one week, we get to purchase the sushi they make for $2.  All of the money made from both our sushi and/or hot bar, goes to our Hissho Foundation fund.
Where else could you pay only $2 for such a delicious, healthy, fabulous lunch or dinner; and contribute to a Foundation Fund at the same time.  A win-win all around!  If you’d like to be part of our Hissho team, please contact us for more information:
https://40.87.96.138/beerbar/becomefranchisee/ & https://40.87.96.138/beerbar/careers/

Hissho reached out to recent refugees from Myanmar (Burma) by providing them with Hissho Rice, and hygiene items purchased from the Core Values budget.  When refugees immigrate to America, they are often left to fend for themselves after only a few short weeks.  Imagine if you didn’t know the language, didn’t have transportation, and were “thrown” into a totally new environment, where all you had was a few others in the same boat.
Lost in a sea of loneliness, 23 senior refugees came together to join forces to show a unified front.  This meeting was in the home of another settled immigrant from Myanmar, who graciously offered his home for this meeting.  Young people in the community also came to help out by doing the translating, serving the delicious homemade chicken and rice soup prepared just for this occasion, and even showing the elderly how to use nail clippers.  If you’d never seen a nail clipper, would you know what it was, or how to use it?
With essentials that we often take for granted: toilet paper, towels and wash cloths, bars of soap, small zip-lock bags filled with hotel amenities collected over time by a Hissho co-worker, and, of course, the nail clippers were all eagerly and gratefully received by each person who sat and waited so patiently for their name to be called.  The 50 pound bags of rice looked bigger than many of the ones who came to “collect.”  Strong young men carried it to the cars of those who volunteered to transport our guests.
After the distributions were made, we all sat together to enjoy the thick, fragrant, healthy, chicken and rice soup.  I can honestly say it’s the absolute best chicken and rice soup I’ve ever had.  It was probably the fact that the 6 chickens used were purchased by two Burmese Hissho co-workers from a Burmese farmer, and donated to the cause. Totally natural: no hormones, no cages!  The few hours our Hissho staff spent doing these small things, were overwhelmingly beneficial for all who were there.
Many times, we need only look around our immediate vicinity to see dire needs, and if you can help make a difference, please do.

If you follow Hissho, you already know that we consider ourselves a “family.”  We pitch in to help each other when needed, and are always trying to encourage and offer support.  Not just at work, but for personal as well.  With our 60 people working every day at HQ, we have so many reasons to laugh, work and play together.  Our Core Value Committee has now spearheaded the effort to post “Words of Inspiration & Wisdom” around our facility.  Although we’ve JUST started, already we have signs showing up all over.  We welcome you to share with us, and feel free to add some of your own, if you’re so inclined.  Thank you for your support too, and if you’re ever in Charlotte, come and visit us.  We’d love to welcome you!
Here are just a few…………….

Grant Thornton has just recognized Hissho Sushi as one of the “Top 100 Private Companies in North Carolina” for 2015.  What a great way to start the year!
“Founded in Chicago in 1924, Grant Thornton LLP (Grant Thornton) is the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd, one of the world’s leading organizations of independent audit, tax and advisory firms.” – See more at: http://www.grantthornton.com

How the list was done.  Grant Thornton North Carolina 100 ranks the state’s largest private companies by revenue in the most recent fiscal year, based on data provided  by participants. Now in its 31st year, the NC100 is a voluntary list restricted to companies based in North Carolina that do not have publicly traded stock. Companies owned by private equity are permitted.
This is a huge honor for Hissho, and an affirmation that we are continuing on the RIGHT path.  It takes a team effort to make it work!  Congratulations to our CEO Philip Maung, and all Hisshonians.

Hissho wishes each of you a very Happy New Year for 2016!  Our 2015 was overflowing with growth and many blessings, which we expect to continue through 2016.  With our growth comes a demand for sushi and hot bar chefs, so if any of our readers would like to join our “family” then please let us know, and pass the word.
Each month, Hissho sends out Birthday Cards to our Franchisees and Employees, and this year I noticed that we have a total of 19 birthdays on January 1.  In a company of our size, this is highly unusual and fortuitous at the same time.  So with a bit of searching, I’ve compiled a bit of trivia for these special “babies.”  What is astounding is how everything seems to fit perfectly with our own model.
“Being born on the 1st day of the month means that it is likely that you are independent, loyal and energetic. The numerology number for people born on January 1 is considered to be 1. People born under this numerology number usually have leadership qualities, great will power and a unique approach to life, together with a charming personality. Those Capricorn people should be happy of the association with the number 1 in numerology, as this is the number of the people who have many achievements in life, of those who have the skills to deal with the bigger picture and are set to follow their goals no matter what.”
All these traits of course bode well for Hissho, since our positions require these traits for anyone to be successful.
“Those born in January are ambitious and hardworking. January 1 Zodiac people are organized and enthusiastic. Those born on January 1 can be characterized as resourceful and practical and there are very few activities in which they do not involve all the discipline they possess.”
Again, these are positive traits for our Hissho Chefs, either in sushi, or hot bar.
“They are active and are rapid to take on new tasks but they do prefer to know something about the subject and often do research before starting something. They put a great price on education and awareness and also have a forceful sense of justice. Caring a lot about what others think, they try to be naturally helpful to those around.”
Hissho has an extensive training program for every employee or franchisee, to make sure they are comfortable in their respective roles, and then our team continues to follow up for on-going training.  The photo below reflects our new trainees that started the year off right by joining our Hissho family……….. and we welcome them!

Hisshonians celebrate Christmas morning at Rescue Mission!  With 70^o F weather outside, and the sun shining, it seemed more like spring than Christmas Day in December.  Nine of our team gathered in the kitchen to help prepare the lunch for residents, guests, and family for the 11:30 AM meal.

Our CEO Philip Maung brought his wife and two sons to join in, and the daughter of another co-worker, filled the ranks to cut and place desserts, prepare rolls for warming, and any other duties assigned.
While we manned the kitchen, an army of other volunteers donned black bow ties on white shirts, with black slacks, to individually serve each guests as if they were in an expensive establishment.  Director Tony Marciano says Charlotte is the only facility of its kind in the country that has the volunteers wear a black tie.  In turn, Marciano says “that the guests not only come for the meal, but for the conversation, and are so appreciative that they are treated as an equal, and not a homeless person.”
Usually Hissho volunteers on Thanksgiving and Easter, but this year we added Christmas!  What a wonderful way to give back to the community.  We have been blessed to be a part of such a great organization as Rescue Mission.

‘Twas the week before Christmas, when all through our house
Every creature was stirring, even the Hissho elves
The presents were all stacked on the table with care
In hopes that their gift would be one they would keep

 The employees were nestled, all snug in their chairs
While visions of splendor danced in the heads
And the moderators in their PJs & Christmas attire
Had just settled in to start the affair

As the numbers were called, each picked his gift
And hoped it was something they liked
But not one to be stolen, because
Only when it made 3 stops could it be claimed

The hilarity was rampant as new numbers perused the crowd
To see what gift they could pick, or might be stolen from the
Gifts that were hidden underneath tables, chairs or behind legs
As the robbers stealthily roamed the crowd

Some got to select more gifts than others
As their prizes became someone else’s
So again and again, they got a new gift
Until finally no one else wanted theirs

Hissho’s Yankee Swap is always full of fun
As the employees munched on snacks, savory and sweet
Eggnog, hot chocolate, soda or water
Until tummies were full of Christmas fare

And each one laughed until they cried
Until every person had their gift
Including the compact power bank
That Hissho gave each of us

So as we wait for Christmas Day
Then New Year, the Year of the Monkey
We wish each of you a fabulous holiday
From each of us at Hissho