Pokeworks

Pokeworks is a fast casual restaurant franchise focused on Hawaiian inspired poke bowls and burritos. The brand was founded in New York City in 2015 by eight co founders whose experiences with poke in Hawaii led them to bring the dish to the mainland United States. Peter Yang is Co founder and Chief Development Officer. Mike Chen and Mike Wu are also among the leaders. All three are Asian American and share an immigrant journey that shapes the brand’s cultural story. The first location was a 700 to 750 square foot store in midtown Manhattan, reflecting an early focus on efficient footprints and dense urban markets. Pokeworks is now headquartered in Irvine, California. As of 2025, the brand reported 67 total units, including 61 franchised owned units and 6 company owned units. Separate FDD data lists 20 total units, all franchised. By February 2025, Pokeworks had 72 locations across 20 states, Taiwan, and Canada. Its current countries of operation include the US, Taiwan, Mexico, and Canada. The concept operates in the healthy fast casual segment, where consumers seek fresh, customizable, and globally inspired meals. PeerSense offers independent analysis for buyers reviewing this opportunity and does not lend or approve loans.

Pokeworks operates within the limited service restaurant category, which benefits from continued demand for speed, convenience, and value. Consumers are placing greater emphasis on fresh ingredients, wholesome food, and transparent sourcing. Customizable meals also appeal to diners with specific dietary needs or taste preferences, a central feature of the poke bowl format. Interest in Asian and Pacific Rim flavors supports Hawaiian inspired concepts such as Pokeworks. Urbanization, demanding schedules, and food delivery platforms support demand for accessible meals. The healthy fast casual market remains fragmented, with many emerging concepts and room for differentiated brands. Its scale, recurring consumer demand, and ability to support established operating models continue to attract franchise interest, although competition remains a factor.

The initial Pokeworks franchise fee is $40,000 according to web research findings. Supplemental franchise data lists a $30,000 franchise fee, which may reflect a different FDD version or agreement structure and should be reviewed during due diligence. Total initial investment ranges from $1.18 million to $1.84 million. This amount can include real estate acquisition or leasing costs, leasehold improvements, construction and build out, kitchen equipment, opening inventory, signage, grand opening marketing, and working capital. The investment places Pokeworks toward the higher end of the fast casual category and may suit multi unit operators or well capitalized single unit investors. Franchisees pay an ongoing royalty of 5% of gross sales and contribute 4% of gross sales to an advertising fund. The initial cost is driven in part by restaurant construction, tenant improvements, and specialized kitchen infrastructure. Buyers should compare the required capital with projected unit economics before proceeding.

A Pokeworks restaurant prepares fresh fish and vegetables, assembles customizable bowls and burritos, serves customers, and maintains a clean dining environment. Customization requires varied inventory controls and staff who can complete orders accurately and quickly. The typical labor structure includes a general manager, assistant managers, and full time and part time employees handling food preparation, counter service, and cleaning. Scheduling and training are central to labor control. The original 700 to 750 square foot midtown Manhattan location shows that the concept can operate in a compact space. Specific drive through or kiosk formats are not detailed, although the growth strategy indicates potential use of inline and other nontraditional retail spaces. Initial training generally covers operations, product preparation, customer service, local marketing, and back of house systems through classroom and hands on instruction. Ongoing support includes field consultants, point of sale and inventory technology, marketing programs, and ingredient sourcing support from the Irvine, California headquarters. Pokeworks is targeting established markets such as Southern California and Texas while opening markets elsewhere in the US. Territory structures may include defined exclusive areas and support multi unit development. Mexico has been identified as a future expansion area for a multi unit franchisee. The model generally favors an owner operator or a closely involved management team, especially for initial locations.

The difference between these figures indicates variation across locations. Site quality, local management, market entry timing, and local marketing may affect individual results. Pokeworks opened nine locations in 2023, including its first restaurant in Canada. For 2024, the brand targeted 12 additional locations and a total of over 85 restaurants by year end. It also anticipated more than 120 locations within 30 to 36 months from January 2024. By July 2025, six new locations had opened during the year, with 10 more scheduled across California, Massachusetts, Texas, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Pokeworks had 23 locations in Texas by February 2025. By July 2025, the Houston market was reportedly fully sold out, with new agreements in place.

Pokeworks grew from 0 franchised outlets in 2014 to 40 in 2019, according to its 2020 FDD. The system later reported 67 total units in 2025, including 61 franchised owned units and 6 company owned units, while separate FDD data listed 20 total franchised units. By February 2025, the brand reported 72 locations across 20 states, Taiwan, and Canada. Its nine openings in 2023 included the first Canadian restaurant. The brand planned 12 additional locations in 2024, targeting over 85 restaurants by the end of that year, and expected more than 120 locations within 30 to 36 months from January 2024. Steve Heeley became CEO in March 2021. Regina Cheung, a Chinese American, is also identified as CEO. Brand advantages include early positioning in the healthy customizable poke category, recognition in that segment, a cultural story tied to the founders’ Asian American immigrant experience and time in Hawaii, and an operating model based on fresh ingredients and efficient service. The original 700 to 750 square foot Manhattan store supports a flexible real estate approach. Expansion has focused on Texas, where the brand had 23 locations by February 2025 and Houston was fully sold out by July 2025, as well as Taiwan, Canada, and planned development in Mexico.

Pokeworks generally seeks individuals or groups with business judgment and experience in multi unit restaurants or complex retail operations. The investment size and expansion plans favor candidates who understand operations, team leadership, and local market conditions. The founders’ entrepreneurial and immigrant background may appeal to resilient operators interested in healthy food. Multi unit development is a clear focus, especially in Southern California, Texas, and new US markets. The brand planned four new outlets in Long Island and Manhattan in addition to seven existing New York City locations. Texas openings included Mission, South McAllen, Downtown Houston, and Westchase Houston, while Houston was reportedly fully sold out by July 2025. Pokeworks opened three Canadian locations in the first and second quarters of 2024, bringing the Canadian total to four, and planned three additional openings in the Toronto area during the year. Other 2024 pipeline markets included Houston, Atlanta, Michigan, Fullerton, California, Astoria, New York, Rochester, Michigan, and Newark, New Jersey. Texas, with its existing base and continued development, appears to be a particularly active region for the brand.

Pokeworks merits detailed due diligence from buyers who can support its capital requirements and operating model. The reported growth from 40 franchised units in 2019 to 61 franchised owned units by 2025, along with plans for over 85 restaurants by the end of 2024 and more than 120 locations within 30 to 36 months from January 2024, indicates continued development. PeerSense can help buyers review franchise information, SBA lending history, a Loan Activity Score of 50 marked Moderate, location maps with Google ratings, FDD financial data, and side by side comparisons. PeerSense is a commercial capital advisory firm that introduces franchise buyers to SBA and conventional lenders, rather than serving as a lender.