Franchising

Aloha Poke says hello to Houston

Provided

October 6, 2021

Aloha Poke Co., a fast casual concept serving sustainably sourced superfoods, has opened the first of 11 stores planned for the Houston metro market, according to a company press release.

The first Aloha Poke is owned by married couple Amanda and Corey Tabb and located in the Fairfield Town Center shopping plaza at 29040 Highway 290, suite A05 in Cypress, Texas.

The husband-and-wife team set sights toward restaurant franchising concepts that promoted environmentally friendly, sustainable food sourcing while offering the Cypress community a premium, healthy fast-casual food option.

"We are thrilled to be the first Aloha Poke restaurant in the state we love, the state where we are raising our children," Tabb said in the release. "As first-time franchise owners, we decided on Aloha Poke for several reasons including the brand's franchise development program, the projected return on investment, the ease of operations, low labor requirements, and most importantly, the sheer beauty and high-quality nutritional value of the brand's dedicated menu."

The planned Houston expansion nearly doubles Aloha Poke's total franchise locations and spearheads the brand's long-term development plan across other areas including Dallas/Fort Worth and Austin.

"Aloha Poke Co is excited and extremely proud to welcome Amanda and Corey into the Aloha Poke franchise family," CEO Chris Birkinshaw said in the release. "Houston is one of the fastest-growing and culturally diverse markets in the nation and we are very excited to introduce the Aloha Poke brand with incredibly dedicated franchisees like the Tabb family."

According to industry analysts, the poke foods market is expected to grow by $1.2 billion by 2024.

"Aloha Poke is the perfect example of where consumer trends are heading within the fast-casual space," Birkinshaw said. "The COVID-19 pandemic has created operational challenges for many food and beverage franchises. Our concept, though also affected, has managed to bypass some of the more serious issues faced by restaurants today, while being able to serve a growing consumer trend of eating healthier, nutrient-dense foods. Aloha Poke's expansion is credited to the ease of operations, sustainable food sourcing practices, lower overhead costs, and a healthy, dedicated menu."

Started as a food stall in downtown Chicago in 2016, Aloha Poke has grown to 15 locations throughout the Midwest, Southeast, and Mid-Atlantic.