Franchising

Pokemoto launches app, online ordering

July 6, 2021

Pokemoto, a 14-location poke concept owned by Muscle Maker Grill Inc., is expanding its digital presence via a partnership with Snackpass, a social e-commerce platform with500,000 users across 13 markets, primarily college towns. As part of the partnership, Snackpass will provide Pokemoto with:

• A smartphone app.
• Online ordering.
• Self-service kiosks.
• Targeted marketing campaigns.
• Built-in customer referral program

The app not only allows customers to order ahead and get rewards and deals from Pokemoto but also lets them see what their friends are ordering, send gifts of points and food and order together as a group, Mike Roper, CEO of Muscle Maker, said in a company press release.

"Because of the close proximity of Pokemoto to numerous colleges and universities, a partnership with an online ordering provider that connects directly with our target customers made perfect sense," he said. "As the world opens back up due to restrictions being lifted and vaccines being rolled out, we want our customers to feel comfortable however they choose to dine — whether it be in-store ordering through our self-service kiosks or contactless pickup via the Snackpass app. As long as we continue to grow how we get our poke-fanatic guests their healthier-for-you bowls and burritos, we know we're doing our part."

Muscle Maker acquired Pokemoto in May 2021, adding to its portfolio of brands including Muscle Maker Grill and SuperFit Foods. The company plans to expand the concept through corporate locations and franchising opportunities.

Snackpass, which was founded in 2017 by Kevin Tan and Jamie Marshall, recently raised $70 million to grow its team, specifically its engineering and sales divisions, and expand beyond initial target markets of college towns to bigger cities including New York City, Los Angeles, D.C., Austin, Miami, San Francisco and Chicago.