Uncle Sharkii: Bringing Hawaiian Poke to the Masses with Family at Heart

Uncle Sharkii Poke Bar is a fast-casual restaurant franchise that specializes in Hawaiian-inspired poke bowls, boba milk teas, and Dole Soft Serve. The franchise was founded in 2019 by Fen Reyes and her husband Raymond Reyes after a touching family moment involving their daughter Melody and a toy shark gifted by an uncle she had never met.

This meaningful gesture inspired the family-centered concept behind the brand. Uncle Sharkii is headquartered in Houston, Texas, and began offering franchise opportunities the same year it was established.

The menu is designed around simplicity and quality, offering customizable poke bowls featuring fresh seafood, rice, vegetables, and flavorful sauces. These are complemented by popular boba teas and soft-serve desserts.

This concise product offering not only appeals to health-conscious consumers but also streamlines operations for franchisees. Uncle Sharkii sets itself apart with its affordable pricing, minimalistic menu design, and family-friendly atmosphere.

Training

Uncle Sharkii provides a structured training program for franchisees and their team members to ensure consistent operations across its locations. This training covers both initial onboarding and ongoing development to maintain brand standards and operational excellence.

1. Initial Training Program: Prior to opening, Uncle Sharkii requires the franchisee (or Operating Principal) and up to two additional staff members to attend an initial training course. This program covers operational procedures, daily tasks, compliance, and systems, with some portions potentially conducted remotely.
2. Supplemental Training: The franchisor provides additional training materials such as an Operations Manual, which must be reviewed before training begins. This includes hands-on and visual instruction on best practices for restaurant and event center operations.
3. Refresher and Follow-Up Training: Franchisees and managers must attend any mandatory follow-up or refresher sessions designated by Uncle Sharkii. These are generally conducted to reinforce standards and operational updates.
4. Replacement Manager Training: If a new manager is hired, they must attend and successfully complete the same initial training, scheduled by Uncle Sharkii on a space-available basis. This ensures consistency in operations regardless of staff turnover.
5. Training for Transferees: In the case of franchise transfers, new owners or managers must undergo the same training as the original franchisee before the transfer is finalized.

Territory Protection

Uncle Sharkii does not grant exclusive territory rights to single-unit franchisees. Franchisees may serve any customer but do not have rights to additional units or protection from nearby locations opened by others. Only those under a Multi-Unit Developer Agreement receive temporary territorial exclusivity during the development schedule.

After completing the development, any exclusivity ends and future rights depend on individual franchise agreements. A restricted area of 25 miles (or 15 miles if narrowed by law) applies mainly for non-compete purposes, not for exclusive operations. This setup allows Uncle Sharkii flexibility to expand without guaranteeing market protection.