Staffing

Pokeworks names 1st female CEO

provided

August 30, 2023

Pokeworks' former CFO Regina Cheung is now CEO, replacing Steve Heeley, who held the role since August 2021.

"I like to think of myself as a servant leader to the team and our franchise owners," Cheung said in a company press release. "I want the whole team to feel a positive energy when they come to work and I think that is important for upholding Pokeworks' core values and culture, which will ultimately lead to accelerated growth and innovation. "In addition, I'm a loyal customer, and my entire family, including my 9-year-old daughter, absolutely loves the food and can't get enough. I'm also passionate about our entrepreneurial spirit. We are professional,but we're also scrappy and growing every day.

Cheung will be the company's first female and Asian-American CEO — something cofounder Mike Chen believes is important for the brand as it prepares to expand outside of the U.S. for the first time with several locations opening in Toronto by year's end.

Chen and his fellow cofounders are returning to the brand in various consultative capacities, offering their expertise and support to Cheung and the management team, according to the release.

The brand has over 60 locations across 20 states, with Taiwan, Mexico and Canada coming soon.