Pokeworks

Our Story

Founded in late December 2015 in a tiny grab-and-go and delivery location in Midtown Manhattan, Pokéworks® has rapidly become the nation’s largest and fastest-growing poke franchise. As pioneers of the poke burrito and leaders in restaurant franchise innovation, we focus on delivering fresh, quality, and delicious food.

From the outset, Pokéworks captured significant consumer and industry attention, with hundreds of customers willing to wait 45 minutes or more to create their own poke burrito or bowl. The buzz around our brand soared when a short video titled "The 'Sushi Burrito' has hit NYC and it's amazing" went viral, amassing over 52 million views.

Today, Pokéworks continues to garner accolades from esteemed restaurant media. For 2024 Pokeworks has ranked on QSR’s short list of THE 16 BEST RESTAURANT FRANCHISING DEALS FOR 2024,n Fast Casual Movers and Shakers, Technomic Top 500 (Restaurant Business) Pokeworks has ranked on the Entrepreneur® Franchise 500® list the last 4 years, securing the title of the #1 poke franchise in 2022. We’ve also been recognized on the Fast Casual Movers and Shakers list for five consecutive years and achieved a top-five ranking on Restaurant Business's Future 50 list for two years running.

"Driven by increasing consumer demand, the poke category is one of the hottest fast-casual segments. Pokéworks is well-positioned to scale, and the 70-unit premium poke brand is ready to erupt," says Chief Development Officer, Peter Yang.

Our Menu & Operations

Efficient operations and a flexible footprint enable franchisees to consistently deliver streamlined, exceptional service. Pokéworks has developed an affordable, cohesive restaurant design that maximizes efficiency. With an average location size of approximately 1,200 square feet and no need for extensive cooking equipment, our spaces range from 350 to 2,000 square feet, offering versatility in site selection.

Our Hawaiian fusion menu appeals to a wide range of dietary preferences and restrictions, including gluten-free, nut-free, vegetarian, vegan, and both cooked and raw protein diets. Customers are drawn to Pokéworks by the exceptional quality, consistency, and affordability of our healthy, diverse, chef-driven menu. Restaurateurs appreciate the simplicity of Pokéworks kitchens, the ease of execution, and the menu’s flexibility, which together create a seamless operational experience.

Our Support

The Pokéworks franchise opportunity is bolstered by unparalleled corporate support from a team of seasoned restaurant franchise experts. Our leadership team is both accessible and deeply committed to shared core values, ensuring a strong partnership with our franchisees.

Our franchising momentum is fueled by the active involvement of our founders, alongside high-level executives who are spearheading Pokéworks’ growth strategy. As we continue to expand nationally, we’re welcoming several experienced franchise leaders to guide and execute our rapid growth plans.

Other support elements include:

• National site selection and lease negotiation

• Award-winning environmentally friendly design

• National construction management support

• Comprehensive 2-week initial training

• Operative POS, scheduling, and inventory control systems

• National purchasing and procurement program

• Grand Opening marketing and event planning

Business development support:

• Pokéworks' state-of-the-art technology stack

• Traditional and digital Internet advertising initiatives

• Strong social media programming and guidance

• Local and brand-centric public relations assistance

• High-profile contributing chef menu development

• Innovative and effective marketing initiatives

• Community fundraisers and campaigning efforts

• Exceptional fresh, sustainable seafood supplier

Our Ideal Candidate

With more than 70 locations on the map today, the famed “poke burrito” originator continues to garner interest from multi-unit, multi-brand franchise operators who see increased real estate and sales opportunities in both proven and untapped markets.

Ideal North American candidates have ood and beverage experience and a minimum of $350,000 in available capital for each restaurant they wish to develop. Multi-unit location development is preferred (not required) for primary and secondary markets. Single-unit development is a consideration in smaller thriving markets in North America. Pokéworks also welcomes multi-unit international master franchise development with well-funded, experienced restaurant groups that have a familiarity with their region.

If you would like to join other highly accomplished multi-unit franchise owners in one of the most notable healthy, fast-casual restaurant franchises in modern memory, we welcome your inquiry. We will be happy to address your initial questions and explore available opportunities in your market.