Since 2016, Island Fin Poké Co. has built its reputation for serving incredible Hawaiian-style poké with fresh, sustainably sourced ingredients. The franchise’s casual, beachy décor, delicious homemade sauces and numerous toppings create the perfect island-style dining experience. By Kelsi Trinidad
Since 2016, Island Fin Poké Co. has built its reputation for serving incredible Hawaiian-style poké with fresh, sustainably sourced ingredients. The franchise’s casual, beachy décor, delicious homemade sauces and numerous toppings create the perfect island-style dining experience.
This month, Island Fin Poké Co. franchisees will gather for the company’s third annual conference at the Kimpton EPIC Hotel in Miami, Florida. With the brand’s explosive growth in the past year – including record sales, multiple locations being open in many new markets and franchises being awarded – and innovative projects in the works, there is plenty to celebrate.
“The ‘ohana is growing,” said Island Fin Poké Co.’s CEO and Co-founder Mark Setterington.
After launching its first digital application in 2022, Island Fin Poké Co. has continued to find ways to improve the guest and franchisee experience. With a streamlined, easy-to-navigate interface, guests can view the menu, place a mobile order and track their order status while gaining rewards. They even can use the app’s nutritional calculator or watch a live surf camera!
This year, the company is adding a feature on its app that will allow guests to place catering orders with ease and bring the flavors of the islands to parties, events and wedding receptions. Island Fin Poké’s catering service is a growing sector of the business that provides franchisees with another revenue stream.
The brand also has become a pioneer in the restaurant training space. Recently, Island Fin Poké Co. designed a revolutionary platform that converts its training programs into e-learning and virtual reality. The virtual reality program will give new employees hands-on training alongside a virtual trainer, all through a pair of goggles. Setterington came across this training method through a chance meeting with the director of learning at a Veterans Affairs hospital. In addition to the training being fun and engaging, the program helps create a solid foundation for new employees, making the execution of openings a lot easier for franchisees.
“It’s going to be a game-changer for restaurants,” said Setterington. “I don’t know any restaurants that do virtual reality training. This is going to be a really big deal for the industry. People are going to see this and be like, ‘I got to have that!’”
Aside from introducing the many innovations the company is rolling out this year, the conference will include an awards dinner to highlight franchisee efforts as well as a vendor showcase and marketing presentation. Committed to its family culture, Island Fin Poké Co. also has dedicated time to promote bonding and networking. Franchisees will engage in breakout sessions to share best practices. It’s also an opportunity for the entire brand to connect, look toward the future of where the brand is going and be a part of its vision and goals.
However, the biggest conference event is the third annual Island Fin Poké Co. Franchise Olympics. Last year, franchisees competed in games related to bowl ingredients and pour testing, but this year promises new games and, of course, a chance to win a wrestling-style champion belt.
“They have a lot of fun, and it’s a really positive experience,” said Setterington. “I buy a new belt every year. That just got to my house last week. I actually wore it a little bit.”
Kelsi Trinidad