Pokemoto Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Fast-casual restaurant franchise serving customizable poke bowls, allowing customers to choose their protein, toppings, and sauces, providing a fresh and healthy meal option.

Pokemoto, a unique player in the fast-casual dining industry, is celebrated for its creative interpretation of Hawaiian Poké bowls. Established by Thomas Nguyen in 2017 in New Haven, CT, the franchise emerged from Nguyen's love for authentic Hawaiian poké, which he discovered during his time in Hawaii.

Observing a lack of this distinctive dish in the New England area, known for its fresh and tasty seafood, he launched the first Pokemoto location near Yale University. The venture proved successful, leading to the creation of a thriving franchise model starting in 2018.

Based in League City, TX, Pokemoto is distinguished by its health-focused menu that features Poké bowls, burritos, salads, and a selection of boba teas. The emphasis on fresh, natural ingredients appeals to various dietary needs, making it a favorite among health-conscious diners.

Initial investment

Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $30,000
Rent – 3 Months $9,000 to $27,000
Security Deposit $3,000 to $9,000
Leasehold Improvements $80,000 to $200,000
Equipment, Furniture and Signs $38,000 to $53,000
Computer System (including the POS System) $1,500 to $3,000
Video Surveillance System $1,000 to $5,000
Insurance – Annual Premium $1,500 to $7,400
Permits and Licenses $500 to $1,000
Initial Inventory $5,000 to $10,000
Initial Training Fee and Travel Expenses for Training $2,500 to $6,000
Professional Fees $500 to $5,000
Grand Opening $7,000 to $12,000
Additional Funds – 3 Months $5,000 to $10,000
Total $184,500 to $378,400
Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $30,000
Rent – 3 Months $9,000 to $27,000
Security Deposit $3,000 to $9,000
Leasehold Improvements $80,000 to $200,000
Equipment, Furniture and Signs $38,000 to $53,000
Computer System (including the POS System) $1,500 to $3,000
Video Surveillance System $1,000 to $5,000
Insurance – Annual Premium $1,500 to $7,400
Permits and Licenses $500 to $1,000
Initial Inventory $5,000 to $10,000
Initial Training Fee and Travel Expenses for Training $2,500 to $6,000
Professional Fees $500 to $5,000
Grand Opening $7,000 to $12,000
Additional Funds – 3 Months $5,000 to $10,000
Total $184,500 to $378,400

Franchise Disclosure Document

Number of units

Training 

Franchisees and their General Managers are required to complete Pokemoto's mandatory initial training program before opening their shop. This comprehensive training, conducted at designated locations including affiliate Pokemoto shops or other chosen sites, is tailored to the needs of new franchisees.

The program lasts about two weeks and is scheduled based on the opening dates of new shops.

Refresher Training and Annual Meetings Pokemoto offers refresher training programs and hosts annual meetings to keep franchisees updated on new products, system changes, and operational enhancements. Attendance at these sessions may be mandatory for franchisees and their General Managers, ensuring they stay informed about the latest developments within the franchise.

Additional On-Site Training Additional on-site training and support can be provided upon request or as deemed necessary by Pokemoto. Franchisees are responsible for covering the per diem fee and expenses for the franchisor's representatives who deliver this training, ensuring their shop personnel receive hands-on, tailored assistance.

Trainee Expenses Franchisees must cover the costs for their trainees attending the training programs, which include travel, lodging, meals, and wages. This investment ensures that franchisees and their teams are thoroughly prepared, with a solid understanding of Pokemoto's standards and procedures, to operate their shops successfully.

Territory Protection

Pokemoto does not provide any protected territory under its franchise agreement. Franchisees are granted the right to establish and operate a shop at an approved location, but they must acknowledge that Pokemoto's affiliates may run shops under different brands or with similar operating systems, potentially creating competition for their shop.

The franchise license is limited to operating one shop at a specific, approved location. There is no territorial exclusivity or protection against competition from the franchisor or its affiliates. Franchisees should be aware that other Pokemoto or affiliate shops could open nearby, impacting their business.

Competitors

Below are some of

Pokemoto

key competitors in the

Healthy

sector.

Franchise
Franchisees
Initial fee
Total investment
Revenue
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Gross Profit
Upgrade
EBITDA
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25

New
+
317%
317%

$30,000

$185,000

$378,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

Competitors

Bowl Boss Acai

Bowl Boss Açaí is a health-food-café franchise offering customizable acai bowls, smoothies and wellness snacks, serving health-conscious consumers and casual café guests, and known for premium ingredients, modern décor and strong franchise scalability.

Franchisees

?

5
+
400%
400%
Investment

?

$107,000 - $559,000

Tru Bowl Superfood Bar

Tru Bowl Superfood Bar is a health-food café franchise offering açaí bowls, juices and customizable wellness meals, serving health-conscious consumers and casual café guests, and known for modern branding, efficient service and appealing studio-style footprint.

Franchisees

?

13
+
333%
333%
Investment

?

$205,000 - $332,000

Sauce on the Side

Sauce on the Side is a fast-casual restaurant franchise offering hand-crafted calzones, salads and desserts, serving diners seeking quality and convenience, and known for fresh dough-made-in-house, strong off-premise sales channels and modern dine-in ambiance.

Franchisees

?

6
+
0%
0%
Investment

?

$494,000 - $794,000

Salad House

Salad House is a health-focused café franchise offering build-your-own salads, wraps and smoothies, serving wellness-oriented diners and families, and known for fresh ingredients, customisation and fast-casual convenience.

Franchisees

?

18
+
157%
157%
Investment

?

$304,000 - $751,000

Bango Bowls

Bango Bowls is a health-food café franchise offering acai bowls, smoothies, and fresh-fruit breakfast meals, serving health-conscious consumers and active lifestyles, and known for vibrant flavour combos, social-media appeal, and grab-and-go convenience.

Franchisees

?

1
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$177,000 - $615,000

Sidewalk Juice

Sidewalk Juice is a juice and smoothie franchise offering fresh-pressed juices, smoothies, acai bowls, and wellness shots, serving health-conscious customers, and known for natural ingredients, made-to-order drinks, and bright, minimalist cafés.

Franchisees

?

6
+
50%
50%
Investment

?

$262,000 - $2,046,000