Simon Woodroffe founded the Yo! Sushi restaurant chain and was an original Dragon on the BBC television series Dragon's Den.
Yo! Sushi opened in London in 1997 and became known for serving dishes on a conveyor belt. The system made the food visible to customers and created a distinctive, fast-moving restaurant experience. Woodroffe's business background in entertainment and hospitality helped shape the brand's unusual presentation.
Woodroffe joined the first Dragon's Den investor panel when the British series launched. He later left the programme, so he is not part of the show's continuing lineup. That departure can cause confusion because Peter Jones is the original investor who remained associated with the series for the long term.
The Yo! brand expanded beyond its original sushi concept into a broader restaurant group. Woodroffe also became associated with the YOTEL hotel concept, which used compact rooms and technology-led service. His Dragon's Den connection is therefore one part of a larger career in innovative hospitality businesses.