POKEWORKS

Item 7 in the 2025 FDD pegs PokeWorks' initial investment at $314,699-$608,955, including a $40,000 franchise fee, with ongoing fees at 6% royalty, 1.5% brand/ad fund, and a $300 monthly technology surcharge—aligning with fast casual norms but stacking up against competitors like Sweetgreen or Cava. Item 19 shines brightly: average gross revenue clocks $978,600, median $834,650 across mature units, suggesting top performers exceed $1M while half land under $850K—no profit figures disclosed, so operators must factor 30-35% COGS typical for poke plus labor in high-traffic spots. With 25 SBA loans averaging $349,288 and an 8% default rate (below the 15-20% category average), financing looks viable for qualified buyers, though Irvine HQ's Beyond Restaurant Group backs it with just 6 corporate stores.

System metrics reveal cautious growth: 61 franchised locations edged up 2% from 60 in 2023 to 2024, with 11 projected new units signaling developer interest via multi-unit deals, but only 1 transfer hints at low churn. Since franchising in 2016, PokeWorks hasn't exploded like boba giants, facing stiff Asian fast casual rivalry—yet that stability suits risk-averse investors chasing $2M+ AUV potential in urban markets. Weigh the revenue tease against slim expansion; it's a niche play for hands-on owners eyeing poke's enduring appeal over hype-driven booms.