Poki Bowl: Redefining Fast-Casual Dining with a Hawaiian Twist

Founded in 2015 in San Jose, California, Poki Bowl was created to bring the vibrant and flavorful Hawaiian poke experience to the mainland, blending it with Asian-inspired ingredients. The first location opened on Almaden Expressway and quickly built a strong following, with customers traveling from afar to enjoy its fresh, customizable poke bowls.

Poki Bowl began franchising in 2017, capitalizing on the simplicity and efficiency of its business model. The franchise system is designed with low overhead in mind, requiring minimal kitchen equipment and a small staff, which helps streamline operations and improve profitability.

The core of Poki Bowl's menu lies in its fully customizable poke bowls. Customers can choose from a variety of bases, proteins, toppings, and house-made sauces, allowing them to create meals that are both flavorful and health-conscious.

This commitment to freshness, simplicity, and customer choice distinguishes Poki Bowl from many competitors in the quick-service segment. Headquartered at 81 Curtner Avenue in San Jose, California, Poki Bowl continues to expand across the U.S.

Training

Poki Bowl provides several structured training programs to ensure franchisees and their staff are prepared to operate the business effectively. These programs include mandatory initial training and optional continuing support designed to uphold operational standards.

1. Initial Training Program: Franchisees, or their designated managers, must complete an initial training program to the satisfaction of Poki Bowl. This includes training at either the franchisor’s location or the franchisee’s own site, with fees of $250 per day per person, plus travel and lodging expenses.
2. Supplemental Training for Substitute Managers: If the originally designated manager fails to complete training satisfactorily, a substitute must undergo the same program at the franchisee’s cost.
3. Ongoing Training and Seminars: Poki Bowl may require franchisees to attend up to two sessions per year for ongoing education. These sessions may be held at the franchisor’s or franchisee’s location with similar cost structures, and the franchisee must bear all associated travel and wage expenses.
4. Remedial On-Site Training: If needed or requested, the franchisor can send trained representatives to the franchisee’s site for additional support. The franchisee pays a per diem fee plus trainer expenses.
5. Annual Franchisee Meetings: Optional meetings may be held to provide further training, discuss new products, or implement system changes. While there’s typically no fee to attend, franchisees are responsible for all related costs.

Territory Protection

Poki Bowl offers its franchisees a protected territory, but not an exclusive one. The designated area is typically defined as either a 2-mile radius from the restaurant location or an area encompassing 30,000 people—whichever is smaller.

Within this boundary, the franchisor agrees not to open or license another Poki Bowl location during the term of the agreement, provided the franchisee remains in compliance.

Despite the protected territory, Poki Bowl retains broad rights that limit actual exclusivity. The franchisor may operate or authorize others to operate at non-traditional sites such as airports, stadiums, schools, and military bases—even within a franchisee’s assigned area.