Franchising

Hero Brands investing in Island Poke

Provided

March 9, 2021

UK-based Island Poke has secured an investment from Hero Brands, which owns German Doner Kebab and Choppaluna, to help it accelerate growth, according to a company press release. The companies did not disclose the investment details.

Having more than doubled in size in the last year to 17 outlets, Island Poke will add at least five locations by year's end as well as 40 in France over the next five years.

The investment will see Hero Brands join the board alongside early investor Chris Miller of White Rabbit Projects and founder James Gould-Porter.

"We're so excited to be bringing Hero Brands on board and the experience that they'll bring to the table," Gould-Porter said in the release. "We've been working closely together and feel that our businesses are a great fit for each other. We've seen what they've done with other concepts within their portfolio and look forward to growing together."

Hero Brand's Chairman Athif Sarwar said the investment was an example of how Hero Brands was responding to emerging consumer trends and focused on growing the brands of the future.

"We look to partner with disruptive brands that have a USP and can be scaled and taken to global markets," he said. "Island Poké fits with our DNA and is a fantastic concept that is already proving to be a huge hit with consumers across London and France."