Pokeworks Enters Second Half of 2025 with Strong Franchise Growth and Innovation Focus
IRVINE, Calif., July 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pokeworks, the fastest-growing fast-casual poke brand globally, is entering the second half of 2025 with strong performance and steady franchise expansion. So far this year, the brand has opened six new locations, signed new multi-unit development deals, and has 10 more stores slated to open by year's end across California, Massachusetts, Texas, North Carolina, and Tennessee.
Pokeworks has further expanded its footprint in Texas with a newly signed agreement that fully sells out the Houston market, solidifying its growing presence in the region.
"This momentum reflects the strength of our model and the passion of our franchise partners," said Peter Yang, Co-Founder and Chief Development Officer. "We're growing strategically in key markets across the country, and we're proud to support our franchisees with the tools and innovation they need to thrive."
Innovation + Franchisee Support Driving Growth
Pokeworks recently partnered with Qu, a leading provider of cloud-based unified commerce solutions, to upgrade its POS system, enhancing both operational efficiency and the franchisee experience.
Among those driving Pokeworks' expansion is New York-based multi-unit franchisee Alvin Zhang, who expressed his enthusiasm for the brand's flexible model and hands-on guidance: "Pokeworks is the sweet spot for multi-unit franchisees. The brand offers strong brand support but still gives you the freedom to tailor each location to your community. They understand how important it is to find the right fit and work with you to make it happen."
On the consumer side, the brand is focused on:
Growing its loyalty program and membership
Expanding add-on innovation to boost order value
Completing a full brand refresh in-store and online
Launching strategic content partnerships to drive awareness
Franchise Development Focus
In the second half of 2025, Pokeworks is focused on growing its presence in existing markets by supporting current franchisees, while also awarding new territories to qualified entrepreneurs to drive expansion into key markets nationwide. The Poke category itself is on an upward trajectory, with the global food market valued at approximately $9.3 billion in 2024 and projected to nearly double to $16.7 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate of nearly 10%.
With record same-store sales, continued guest engagement, and growing demand for healthy fast-casual options, Pokeworks is well-positioned for continued franchise growth through 2025 and beyond.
The brand is actively seeking ambitious single and multi-unit operators to join its growing franchise system and bring its fresh, flavorful concept to communities across the U.S. For more information about its franchise opportunities, visit pokeworksfranchise.com.
About Pokeworks
Pokeworks was founded in 2015 with the simple mission of spreading its love of poke –the crisp, fresh, healthy Hawaiian favorite – with the world. Pokeworks' innovative Poke Your Way® approach is groundbreaking, offering guests over 50,000 ways to customize their poke order to match their eating preferences including vegan, gluten-free, and other mindful diets. The Poke Burrito has developed a cult-like following, much like Pokeworks' proprietary sauces, which range from sweet and spicy to savory. Pokeworks believes in supporting a healthy lifestyle and serving guests meals made from the freshest, highest quality ingredients from sustainable food sources. In 2022, the brand was honored to be named the "Top Poke Franchise" by Startups Magazine. Pokeworks has quickly expanded to become the leading fast-casual poke brand in the world with six consecutive years on Fast Casual's "Top 100 Movers and Shakers" list. The brand has 72 locations across 20 states, Taiwan, and Canada. For more information, visit pokeworksfranchise.com, or follow Pokeworks on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok.
* Disclaimer:This information is not intended as an offer to sell a franchise. Any financial performance data referenced is for illustrative purposes only. An offer can only be made through a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). Actual results may vary. Please refer to our Item 19 for full details. The financial performance data referenced in this release, including same-store sales growth and individual franchisee performance, are provided for informational purposes only and do not represent a guarantee of future results. Actual results will vary and are dependent on numerous factors including, but not limited to, location, operational experience, local market conditions, and the level of effort by individual franchisees. Pokeworks does not make any representations or guarantees regarding individual earnings or profitability. Prospective franchisees should review the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and consult with their financial and legal advisors before making any investment decision.
Contact: Elise Fricilone | Franchise Elevator PR | efricilone@franchiseelevator.com
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pokeworks-enters-second-half-of-2025-with-strong-franchise-growth-and-innovation-focus-302518755.html
SOURCE Pokeworks
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
10 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Wall Street internship season is ending. What to do if you don't get a return offer.
The summer is nearly over, and full-time job offers could start rolling out as soon as next week. Not every intern will get picked. What do you do if you don't get invited back? A banking recruiter and a top 10 business school professor on how to recover and stay in the game. Summer internships on Wall Street are coming to a close, which means college students who toiled late at the desk for weeks trying to impress the boss will soon know whether it worked. The number of investment banking interns who are invited to return after graduation to work full-time varies by year, by bank, and by group. This summer, many factors stand to shake up the return-offer rate: M&A has come soaring back after a slow start to 2025. At the same time, more banks are rolling out artificial intelligence tools that stand to impact junior banker jobs. "At this point it's too early to tell," said Steve Sibley, a business school professor whose undergrads intern on Wall Street each year. "I haven't heard from a lot of students, which is usually a sign they're not worried." With return offers right around the corner (summer analysts from two different banks told Business Insider that they expect to get the news as soon as next week), we decided to find out how to proceed if you don't get invited back. We asked Sibley, who has taught hundreds of students who have successfully broken into Wall Street over his 10 years of teaching at Indiana University's Kelley School of Business, along with Wall Street banking recruiter Meredith Dennes. They said that while a return offer is the surest path to a career in finance, not getting one doesn't necessarily mean your Wall Street dreams are over. You just have to act quickly and decisively. Here is their advice: Be honest with yourself The first step is to think about your strengths and weaknesses, and what others might have done to get an offer that you didn't. "Before making your next move, you need diagnostic clarity," said Dennes, founder of recruitment firm Prospect Rock Partners. "Your comeback strategy depends entirely on accurate self-assessment." Sibley said there tend to be three main reasons someone didn't get an offer: Your work product was off. "A lot of times interns will overextend themselves and try to be everything to everybody," he said, adding: "If someone asks you to do something and you don't have bandwidth but you say yes and your work is late as a result, that's problematic." The bank didn't see you as a cultural fit. If your bank has a "work hard, play hard" vibe and you prefer to spend what little free time you have relaxing in front of the TV, not getting the return offer at that firm is probably for the better, said Sibley. The bank may need fewer analysts than expected. Banks tend to hire interns two years in advance, which can lead to overhiring. Different divisions have different activity levels in any given year. M&A activity in your coverage group or at the bank generally may be lower than anticipated. Not getting a return offer can be a blessing in disguise, said Sibley. "It may feel like a rejection, but maybe it's an indication that investment banking isn't for you, so be open with yourself about that." Start networking, fast If you still want to pursue investment banking, you have options. The first is to find a spot at another firm as quickly as possible. Interns usually have about two weeks to accept or decline their offers, opening the door to job opportunities at firms that underhired or got more declines than planned. But you have to act fast. "Any additional seats come available very quickly and get filled quickly," said Sibley. To do that means reconnecting with the contacts you made when you were recruiting for your internship. "These relationships, properly maintained, often become your strongest advocates for future opportunities," Dennes said. This is key because when only one or two spots open, the bank will often try to fill them without an official job posting. The only way to know is through connections. Don't be picky, Sibley said — casting too narrow a net might leave you with nothing. "You probably aren't moving up the league table for your full time position," he said, adding: "So look down, maybe middle market, maybe it's less elite boutique banks — anything where you're learning skills for the job." Take responsibility When networking and talking with other potential employers, you will have to address why it didn't work out at the other firm. Dennes and Sibley said to own it — blaming anything other than yourself is a big red flag to other potential employers. "When addressing the no-offer in future interviews, lead with accountability and growth," said Dennes. "Show them you extracted value from the experience and applied those lessons systematically." Maybe you said yes to everybody, and your work suffered. Here's how Sibley suggested you might explain what happened and what you learned from it: I tried to accept every work stream that was sent my way, and as an intern, didn't have the courage to say I had enough on my plate and couldn't take on anything else. I learned there are things that are important and things that are urgent. I learned the importance of prioritizing certain things over others, and pushing back if my plate is overflowing. Pursue deal-adjacent jobs If you want to do M&A but don't get an investment banking job, there are adjacent careers where you can gain similar skills and make the move to banking down the line. You just want "anything where you are touching deals or deal advisory," said Sibley. Consider roles in corporate development at Fortune 500 companies, which will offer deals and modeling experience. Large consulting firms like Deloitte and KPMG also tend to have corporate finance teams that operate as investment banking arms of their firm. There are also business management consulting firms that specialize in things like restructuring and turnarounds. You should also consider valuation advisory teams or businesses. Some banks, for example, have valuation advisory practices that are separate from their investment bank but that work with the investment banking coverage groups. Consider a master's degree You could also buy yourself another year of recruiting by enrolling in a master's finance program (different from an MBA, which you could still do later). "It's a way to extend the runway," said Sibley, who is associate chair of IU's master of science in finance program. He said he has had students go this route at IU and land a job before. There are a lot of these one-year specialized programs at various universities today. Going to a different school than where you did undergrad is probably better, he said, so you can take advantage of a second alumni network. "It's easier to find a job from school than from your parents' basement," said Sibley. Read the original article on Business Insider
Yahoo
10 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Fed might've cut rates if the July jobs report had come first
A weaker-than-expected July jobs report could have justified a Federal Reserve interest rate cut had the data been available sooner. Brian Jacobsen, chief economist and strategist at Annex Wealth Management, says tariffs — not just high rates — are driving the hiring slowdown. He also notes that market volatility might persist until the Fed pivots. To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Morning Brief. Related videos Europe's most expensive city revealed, as living costs near £3,500 per month £50k in savings? Here's how to unlock up to £4.5k in passive income overnight How will the Lloyds share price be affected by today's Supreme Court ruling? Meet the 75p dividend stock with a higher yield than Legal & General shares Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
10 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Sirena Amaral earns state certification as Dighton's town accountant
Dighton Town Accountant Sirena Amaral has earned the designation of certified governmental accountant, according to a community announcement. The certification, awarded by the Massachusetts Municipal Auditors' and Accountants' Association, recognizes municipal accounting professionals who have demonstrated advanced knowledge in governmental accounting, financial reporting and regulatory compliance. Candidates must complete a rigorous training program and pass comprehensive exams covering fund accounting, internal controls, municipal budgeting and Massachusetts municipal finance law. Amaral's achievement highlights her commitment to maintaining the highest standards of financial stewardship for the town, according to the announcement. 'We extend our sincere congratulations to Sirena on this well-deserved achievement,' Town Administrator Ralph Vitacco said. 'Her dedication to professional growth and excellence continues to benefit our town and its residents.' Amaral was appointed as Dighton's town accountant in July 2022 by a unanimous vote of the Board of Selectmen. Prior to her appointment, she served for four years as the assistant town accountant for Rockland. As Dighton's town accountant, Amaral is responsible for monitoring, directing and auditing the town's financial and accounting system, including maintenance of the fiscal records and systems. "The Town of Dighton commends Sirena Amaral for her continued service and for advancing the town's financial operations through her expertise and dedication," Vitacco said. This story was created by reporter Beth McDermott, bmcdermott1@ with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Dighton's town accountant earns top certification in government finance Solve the daily Crossword
