Over the past few years, Sushi Smackdown has been developing a unique TV show and marketing campaign designed to elevate sushi culture — and with it, Japanese beer — to the national spotlight.

During our filming of sushi battles across the country, Asahi Beer took notice that every restaurant where we filmed, their beer sales quadrupled. Following this success, we met with Asahi to discuss how we could scale this impact nationally. This pattern also existed with Sake products. We’ve since spent years refining a show and campaign that drives customers into restaurants and boosts beer and Sake sales, with one goal in mind: making Japanese beer and Sake a household name. 

The Concept

Sushi Smackdown is launching a nationwide chef battle series, where local sushi chefs compete to have their winning creations featured on the official Sushi Smackdown Menu — available exclusively at licensed restaurants across the country. Each weekend, local hosts coordinate live chef battles that draw crowds of sushi lovers eager to taste and vote.

Chefs compete for more than just bragging rights. The ultimate prize? Their dish becomes a nationally featured item — and they receive a royalty for every roll sold. And here’s the game-changer:

    Sushi Smackdown is the only show on television where the audience can walk into a local restaurant and eat what they saw on TV.

This drives repeat visits, higher foot traffic, and increased beverage sales — especially for the featured beer and Sake sponsor.

The Home Battle Kit

We didn’t stop there. Licensed restaurants will also sell the Sushi Smackdown Home Battle Kit — a fun, interactive kit for birthdays, girls' nights, date nights, and more. It includes everything needed to create sushi at home and battle friends for the best roll. And yes — our sponsor’s beer and Sake are available in kits.

For the first time, Japanese beer and Sake will have a vehicle to enter American homes through entertainment and experiential dining. Until now, American and Mexican beers and wine have dominated household fridges. Sushi Smackdown is your opportunity to change that.

Join the Movement

While Asahi Beer was the first to call us, we are now extending this opportunity to all Japanese beer and Sake brands looking to scale nationally and internationally.