Sumo Japanese Steakhouse coming to Fort Smith in 2018

Fort Smith will in 2018 be home to the third Sumo Japanese Steakhouse in Arkansas, and will be built along Phoenix Avenue between Starbucks and Academy Sports, according to Haag Brown Commercial.

The Jonesboro-based property development company said Blue Point Investments Group purchased a 2.71 acre lot from KMW Properties – owned by the Hanna Family – on May 19. The purchase price was $1.045 million. Construction is set to begin in the first quarter of 2018.

Sumo has restaurants in Jonesboro and Russellville.

Joshua Brown and Greg Haag, principal developers for Haag Brown Commercial Real Estate & Development, worked with Jim Nunnelee of Nunnelee & Wright Commercial Properties, who represented the Hanna family. Brown and Haag said Bill Hanna was also key in making the deal happen.

“This deal was only possible through the willingness of the Hanna family and their desire to see the continued surge of development in this area of Fort Smith. We have had the privilege of helping Sumo enter several markets, where they’ve become an instant area attraction with their amazing food and elegant, modern atmosphere,” Brown noted in a statement.

Haag said Fort Smith has been on their radar, but it took the right piece of property to interest potential retail and restaurant owners.

“This acreage was good real estate on day one and putting together several national brand retailers and restaurants on the site made it great,” Haag said.

According to Haag Brown, the Fort Smith restaurant will use the same architectural design used for the Jonesboro and Russellville sites. The restaurant will include several hibachi grills, as well as, private hibachi and dining rooms.

Officials with the restaurant said the facility will cost around $2 million to build, and will employ about 60 workers.