Seafood consumption in the U.S keeps growing. Seafood consumption in 2001 increased to 15.6 pounds per person. This is the third consecutive year of rising seafood consumption. (Source: Seafood Business magazine) Furthermore, raw seafood is becoming popular across the U.S. One-third of grocery delis include a sushi bar or Japanese food station, according to a Supermarket Business poll. Consumption of sushi at U.S. restaurants increased 40 percent in the past five years, says the National Restaurant Association. And more than 1,100 supermarkets now have sushi bars in their Meal Solutions sections. (November 2000)

Seafood in Pittsburgh has a potential to grow. People do not normally associate Pittsburgh with seafood, but the number of seafood restaurants is increasing recently, and some seafood restaurants such as Steelhead, part of the Myriad Restaurant Group based in New York, are quite a success. Seafood restaurants in Pittsburgh are in general more expensive than other types of food, but this is in line with national trends (with the exception of certain coastal areas).

The customers in our target market are Asians, University students, the upper-middle class, and health conscious individuals. This gives us an excellent market mix.