The poke segment of the fast-casual restaurant category has been gaining ground post-pandemic, not only for its healthy, on-the-go food offerings, but for franchisees looking to move from the supply chain and labor challenges of traditional concepts to more manageable and profitable restaurants.
Chicago-based Aloha Poke Co.’s responsibly sourced menu and simple, efficient operations position the brand as the leader of this movement.
Fast-casual eating has become an essential element of families’ weekly meal planning. Where burgers and pizza were once firmly established as part of this routine, the American mindset has shifted toward health and wellness. As we continue to make these elements regular parts of our daily lives, we increasingly think about what we consume to fuel our bodies.
This thinking is what led franchisees Amanda and Corey Tabb to open the first Aloha Poke Co. restaurant in the Houston, Texas market. As parents to three beautiful children, they wanted to instill the value of healthy eating, especially with so many fast-food options readily available. Aloha Poke Co. has made the values of service and sustainability, through fresh-packed sashimi-grade fish, clean and simple ingredients, core to the brand. Amanda and Corey opened their Aloha Poke Co. restaurant with the belief that the brand’s success comes from its firm adherence to these values, making the decision to participate in Aloha Poke’s franchise business ownership that much more attractive.
“We are thrilled to be the first Aloha Poke restaurant in the state we love, the state we are raising our family,” said Amanda. “As first-time franchise owners, we decided on Aloha Poke for several reasons, including the brand’s franchise development program, the projected return on investment, the ease of operations, low labor requirements, and most importantly, the sheer beauty and high-quality nutritional value of the brand’s dedicated menu.”
Amanda explains that while there are some consumers unfamiliar with the category, once they try it, they are hooked. In fact, with a higher than 80% return rate for first-time guests, Amanda’s store is in line with the other locations in Aloha Poke Co.’s chain. Amanda is also focused on communicating the nutritional value and freshness of her food to her greater community. Her work is paying dividends, as evidenced through her catering offerings, which have become favorites with local businesses such as BHP, Memorial Hermann Hospital and Phillips 66.
From a franchise opportunity perspective, Aloha Poke Co. is gaining traction and interest from new and veteran multi-franchise owners. The brand continues its commitment to FDD transparency, sustainable food sourcing practices, and a strong franchise development support program with simple back-of-house operations, low food and labor costs, and a stable distribution network.
Aloha Poke Co. continues to attract franchise restaurant investors drawn to the brand’s attractive initial capital requirements, unit economics, and appealing sales-to-investment figures. According to industry analysts, the market for poke and similar food concepts is expected to grow by $1.2B by 2024. Aloha Poke franchising is uniquely poised to meet this growing demand with consumers looking for new, innovative ways to eat clean, unprocessed foods while on the go.