Nicole Lim Xui Jhi

EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women™ Asia-Pacific Class of 2026
CEO, Empire Sushi Sdn Bhd, Malaysia

Nicole Lim is the CEO of Empire Sushi Sdn Bhd, a food services company based in Malaysia that operates a convenient over-the-counter takeaway format. Located in shopping malls, Empire Sushi Sdn Bhd specializes in fresh, ready-to-eat sushi for takeaway, as well as "Quick Dine-In Sushi," which offers a sit-down, self-service dining experience alongside a variety of hot dishes, including grilled items, ramen, udon, appetizers and side dishes.

Growing up in a middle-class family with entrepreneurial grandparents and parents, Nicole was inspired to start her own venture and developed a strong desire to succeed from a young age. At the inception of her business, she faced the challenges of providing job security for her employees and improving their living standards as the company grew.

Since its founding in 2011, Empire Sushi Sdn Bhd has become the leading grab-and-go sushi chain in Malaysia, offering premium sushi at affordable prices with a localized taste. Today, there are over 130 outlets nationwide, growing from just two employees to over 1,000, with a revenue of MYR235million in 2025.

Nicole is focused on positioning Empire Sushi Sdn Bhd as a multicultural and socially responsible brand committed to continuous research and development. The company is adopting creative business strategies to lead change and create trends in the premium Japanese food landscape and the broader food and beverage industry. Leveraging a franchise model, Empire Sushi Sdn Bhd aims to become the leader in the grab-and-go sushi industry in Southeast Asia by 2027.