Franchising

Aloha Poke expanding into Atlanta

Provided

November 2, 2021

Chicago-based Aloha Poke Co. will enter the Atlanta market via franchisee Randy Elias, who owns several Moe's Southwest Grills in Acworth and Cartersville. Marking Aloha Poke's Georgia debut, the deal follows growth in Texas and other states, said CEO Chris Birkinshaw.

"We are happy that the people of Atlanta and surrounding communities will have access to our poke bowls, which infuse delicious, nutritious, and natural ingredients, especially at a time of heightened awareness around the quality and healthfulness of fast-casual menus," he said in a company press release.

Elias said he was attracted to Birkinshaw's franchise development program as well as the projected return on investment, the efficiency of operations and the low labor requirements.

"I have seen many different franchise concepts that require complex back-of-house build outs and cooking staff and are now experiencing the strain caused by current labor issues, economic turmoil, and supply chain challenges," he said in the release. "Aloha Poke's brand development strategy and buildout requires much less to start and maintain, while still offering an attractive return on investment year-over-year. I feel that concepts like Aloha Poke are part of the fast-casual evolution toward offering higher-quality menu offerings as we continue to navigate pandemic-related disruptions."

Aloha Poke operates 17 locations in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Texas, Florida and Washington, D.C.