Article
GoPoke takes Perfect Pitch title at Fast Casual Executive Summit
The Seattle-based authentic Hawaiian poke and desserts fast casual beat out tough competitors, Salads UP and Sugapeach Chicken & Fish Fry, in the annual Fast Casual contest naming the year's hottest brand.
October 26, 2018 by Judy Mottl — Editor, RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com
GoPoke took top honors as this year's hottest fast casual brand, besting out tough competition from Salads UP and Sugapeach Chcken & Fish Fry, in the annual Perfect Pitch contest during the Fast Casual Executive Summit.
The Seattle-based fast casual serves authentic Hawaiian poke and desserts in the form of fresh ahi, salmon, tako, and tofu in the form of ready-to-eat rice/salad bowls, pokerittos and by the pound. It also serves shaved ice, dole whip and tropical homemade drinks.
The competition, sort of a warm and fuzzy Shark Tank format, presents three top nominated brands before summit attendees and an advisory panel that included Susie Fogelson, founder of F&Co. and former Food Network marketing executive; Melanie Corey-Ferrini, chief experience officer, Dynamik Space and Bruce Reinstein, partner at Kinetic12.
Each brand gives their brand pitch, as well as insight to their strategy, and then answers questions from the audience as well as the advisors.
"It's all about helping small but innovative concepts get off the ground," said Fast Casual Editor Cherryh Cansler before the summit session kicked off. Cansler also serves as vice president of editorial for Fast Casual parent company Networld Media Group.
The Perfect Pitch session took place on the final day of the three-day Fast Casual Executive Summit held at the Hyatt Regency Lake Washington in early October. The summit, run by Networld Media Group, draws restaurant executives interested in learning and networking via interactive sessions. The session Perfect Pitch session was sponsored by LambWeston, a leading brand in high-quality potato products that are sold in over 100 countries.
Not only does a Perfect Pitch winner get "bragging rights," but owners/founders are provided free entry into next year's Fast Casual Executive Summit which is scheduled for Oct. 13-15, 2019, in Austin.
ForGoPokeco-founder Bayley Le, who started the brand just about two years ago with two brothers, the victory was "exciting," and attendance at the event proved invaluable.
"We're learning," he said of the summit event. His advice for new brands is to "stand for something and believe it in."
In his pitch, Le shared his family's long history and love of fishing in Vietnam and recalled selling tuna door to door during his childhood. His family's relocation to Hawaii only brought a greater appreciation for poke and tuna.
When Le moved to Seattle, as an adult, he quickly realized he missed the authentic Hawaii poke experience of his growing up years.
So Le and his brothers set out to replicate the culinary experience and "create the same culture" they had growing up.
The big differentiator that sets GoPoke above other poke-focused brands is the use of fresh, not frozen, tuna, said Le.
"We stand for fresh, we want you to experience standing on a Hawaii beach eating this dish," he told the summit audience. "This," he said pointing to the visual presentation of GoPoke food images, "is what Hawaii feels like"
And obviously, attendees and advisors felt the vibe as they votedGoPokethe winner.
About Judy Mottl
Related Media
Food & BeveragePresented ByOracle
FranchisingPresented ByJeff's Bagel Run
Subscribe
Get the latest news and resources from Fast Casual.
