Franchising

Pokemoto schooling Mississippi

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August 26, 2022

Pokemoto, owned by Muscle Maker Inc., is opening the first of three previously inked franchise deals in the Mississippi market. Opening in Oxford, the restaurant is near the University of Mississippi, which targets the brand's target audience of millennials and Gen Zs. The location features Pokemoto's new interior graphic design package, signage and menu items.

"This opening marks one of our first franchise locations to move through the entire 'sales, training, opening' cycle since we acquired Pokemoto," Muscle Maker CEO Mike Roper said in a company press release. "While it's great to sell a franchise, it is even more important to get them open. Our current strategy focuses on the expansion of Pokemoto through both corporate and franchise locations. Oxford Mississippi is a franchise location with a strong franchise partner who has many ties to the local community — which we believe is a great combination."

Roper said the store is just the start to the year's growth.

"We have open or coming soon Pokemoto eateries in 13 states, 43 franchise agreements sold to date and 10 locations currently under construction," he said. "We continue to expand our sales efforts by adding two new franchise sales managers to our team, pursuing military veteran partners with an aggressive discounted initial franchise fee, expanding our social media presence and working on new ways to communicate with potential franchise owners out there while adding new states where we can sell franchises — we are open for business!"

Pokemoto's strategy focuses on growth through both company-owned and franchise locations. Each franchise location sold generates up to $25,000 per agreement when signed as well as an ongoing royalty up to 6% of net sales once opened. The franchises offer a low cost of build out, protected territories, little-to-no cooking, ease of operation and low labor requirements.