Sushiro Shijiazhuang Staff Allege Forced Hand-Thawing of Frozen Shrimp, Instructor Suspended
AM730 · 2 SOURCES1 day ago2 MIN
Summary
A Japanese conveyor belt sushi chain has faced fresh allegations of workplace misconduct at its Shijiazhuang, Hebei outlet. An employee posted on social media on September 6 accusing a training instructor at the Sushiro Mixc World City branch of forcing him to thaw frozen red shrimp using only his bare hands and body heat. The employee stated the procedure left his hands red, numb, and burning with pain. The incident allegedly occurred after a workplace dispute over a missing shrimp package on September 5. Sushiro's parent company confirmed on September 8 that it had launched an internal investigation and suspended the instructor, reiterating that hand-thawing is not an approved method under company standards.
Key Points
- Employee at Sushiro's Shijiazhuang Mixc World City store posted allegations on social media on September 6, claiming a training instructor forced him to use hand heat to thaw frozen red shrimp
- Incident occurred on September 5 after the employee lost a shrimp package during routine thawing with running water; a dispute with the instructor followed
- The employee's hands turned red, became numb, and felt as if burning during the forced hand-thawing, which he said constituted workplace humiliation
- Sushiro's official standard operating procedures require frozen ingredients be thawed either in designated thawing refrigerators or under running room-temperature water
- Store confirmed on September 7 that the training instructor has been suspended, and Sushiro HQ stated on September 8 it would conduct comprehensive store inspections and correct improper practices
Why It Matters
The incident comes as Sushiro accelerates its Greater China expansion, having opened 171 stores across Hong Kong, mainland China, and Taiwan by end of 2025 . While the company operates 171 outlets in the Greater China region and entered the mainland market in 2021 , this latest allegation adds to a series of controversies involving frontline operations and staff conduct, raising questions about internal training quality and oversight as the brand continues rapid overseas growth .
The incident comes as Sushiro accelerates its Greater China expansion, having opened 171 stores across Hong Kong, mainland China, and Taiwan by end of 2025 . While the company operates 171 outlets in the Greater China region and entered the mainland market in 2021 , this latest allegation adds to a series of controversies involving frontline operations and staff conduct, raising questions about internal training quality and oversight as the brand continues rapid overseas growth .