Our Founder

Nicole Lim, a Malaysian aged 35, is our Promoter, Substantial Shareholder, Non-Independent Executive Director and CEO. She was appointed to our Board in September 2023.

Nicole Lim completed her secondary education at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sultan Abdul Aziz, Teluk Intan, Perak in 2007. Upon completing her secondary education, she enrolled in Kolej Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kampar branch (now known as Universiti Pengurusan dan Teknologi Tunku Abdul Rahman) in Perak to pursue a Certificate in Business Studies (Business Administration) in 2008. Nicole Lim withdrew from her course in 2009 to establish her first entrepreneurial venture together with Jordan Tan through a partnership, a registered business known as BB Little Kitchen, a food and beverage café located in close proximity to her college in Kampar, Perak in December 2009. This marked the beginning of her journey in entrepreneurship, businessownership and operational management.

In November 2010, Nicole Lim and Jordan Tan saw the opportunity to venture into the business of grab-and-go sushi and set up a partnership under Empire Sushi to undertake such business on a consignment basis. They subsequently decided to cease and close down BB Little Kitchen in Kampar in May 2011 and ventured into another business partnership of selling sizzling hotplate Japanese food in Kuala Lumpur through Empire Successfully which was set up by Nicole Lim and Jordan Tan in July 2011.

In July 2013, Nicole Lim and Jordan Tan decided to close down Empire Successfully to focus on the business of Empire Sushi. Following the growth of the businessof Empire Sushi, Nicole Lim and Jordan Tan incorporated Empire Sushi Group Sdn Bhd in December 2013 to own and operate sushi outlets under the Empire Sushi brand. Empire Sushi ceased operations in April 2015.

In January 2020, Empire Sushi was incorporated by Nicole Lim and Jordan Tan to assume all the business operations from Empire Sushi Group Sdn Bhd. Empire Sushi Group Sdn Bhd ceased operations and was placed under members’ voluntary winding-up in September 2024.

In her capacity as CEO, Nicole Lim is primarily responsible for the overall strategic direction and strategy development of our Group, and she hasled and grown our Group’sbusiness over the years with over 143 outlets as at the LPD. She played a pivotal role in formulating the strategic direction of our Group, which includes corporate planning, branding and marketing initiatives, and her contributionshave been instrumental in driving the growth and market presence of our Group.

Her notable achievementsinclude being awarded Young Entrepreneur of the Year of the Star Outstanding Business Awards (SOBA) in 2018, 2020 and 2023, respectively, by Star Media Group, SME Woman Entrepreneur Award of the SMEMalaysia Platinum Business Award 2019 by Star Media Group,Top 10 Finalist of the CreativeYoung Entrepreneur Award 2019 by Junior Chamber International (JCI) Malaysia,Winner of the JCI Creative Young Entrepreneur Award 2020 by Junior Chamber International (JCI) Malaysia, Honoree for Business, Economic and/or Entrepreneurial Accomplishment of the JCI Ten Outstanding Young Malaysians Award 2021 by Junior Chamber International (JCI) Malaysia and Entrepreneur of the Year of the EY Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year 2022 Malaysia by Ernst & Young.

Jordan Tan, a Malaysian aged 43, is our Promoter, Substantial Shareholder, Non-Independent Executive Director and COO.

He was appointed to our Board in September 2023. Jordan Tan completed his secondary education at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Desa Perdana, Kuala Lumpur in 1999. Upon completing his secondary education, he worked for a company that operates grab-and-go sushi counters in supermarkets and he was based at one of such counters in a supermarket in Kuala Lumpur from 2000 to 2003, supporting daily kitchen operations where he gained valuable insights into the daily operations of a grab-and-go sushi outlet. Between 2003 and 2006 after leaving the said job, Jordan Tan worked as a sales and marketing person for two other companies in the Klang Valley that were in the business of distributing mobile phone accessories and kitchen appliances.

In March 2006, Jordan Tan decided to embark on his first business venture with his partner where they set up the business of Sushi Terminal, a grab-and-go sushi kiosk. He later met Nicole Lim in 2009 and together they set up and registered a business known as BB Little Kitchen, a food and beverage café located in Kampar in December 2009.

In November 2010, Jordan Tan and Nicole Lim saw the opportunity to venture into the business of grab-and-go sushi and set up a partnership under Empire Sushi to undertake such businesson a consignment basis.They subsequently decided to cease and close down BB Little Kitchen in Kampar, Perak in May 2011 and ventured into another business partnership of selling sizzling hotplate Japanese food in Kuala Lumpur through Empire Successfully, which was set up by Jordan Tan and Nicole Lim in July 2011.

In July 2013, Jordan Tan and Nicole Lim decided to close down Empire Successfully and in 2014, Jordan Tan also withdrew from the business partnership in Sushi Terminal to focus on the business of Empire Sushi. Following the growth of the business of Empire Sushi, Jordan Tan and Nicole Lim incorporated Empire Sushi Group Sdn Bhd in December 2013 to own and operate sushi outlets under the Empire Sushi brand. Empire Sushi ceased operations in April 2015.

In January 2020, Empire Sushi was incorporated by Jordan Tan and Nicole Lim to assume the business operations from Empire Sushi Group Sdn Bhd.

Empire Sushi Group Sdn Bhd ceased operations and was placed under members’ voluntary winding-up in September 2024.

Jordan Tan has approximately 22 years in the F&B industry, including approximately 19 years in sushi outlet operations. In his capacity as Non Independent Executive Director and COO, he is primarily responsible for overseeing overall outlet operations, developing and enhancing the menus which includes exploring diverse ingredient combinations and preparation techniques, with a focuson incorporating local flavour profiles to create appealing new and enhanced menu items.