Island Fin Poké Co.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Becoming a successful restaurant franchise is not an easy task; it takes a strong brand with an extraordinary culture that serves deliciously healthy flavors. Island Fin Poké Co., America’s best poké restaurant, jumped its ranking from last year of #59 to now being ranked #29 on the 2023 Top New & Emerging Franchises list by Entrepreneur Magazine, a leading online franchise publication.

The brand has always remained consistent and continues to provide every guest with unparalleled service and a family-like atmosphere. From curated music to only using the freshest boat-to-bowl ingredients, every Island Fin Poké Co. location offers an incredible sensory experience. This means each time a guest experiences a poké bowl at Island Fin, they are experiencing the incrediBOWL, which is personally crafted to the guest’s liking. Offering chicken, tofu and spam protein options, aside from the traditional fish options of tuna, salmon, shrimp and octopus, Island Fin caters to all preferences with everything on their menu being gluten-free.

According to Entrepreneur Magazine, the Top New & Emerging Franchise list recognizes franchises that have demonstrated strong potential for growth in the years to come. These companies, including Island Fin Poké Co., are on this list and are ranked based on the scores they received in the Franchise 500 evaluation, which analyzes more than 150 data points in the areas of costs and fees, size and growth, franchisee support, brand strength and stability.

“The franchise industry is full of big new ideas, which is why Entrepreneur’s Top New and Emerging list is always so exciting,” said Entrepreneur Magazine editor-in-chief, Jason Feifer. “If anyone’s looking to get in on the ground floor of the next big thing, they should start with the brands we’ve identified— that are all full of creativity, innovation and accessibility for aspiring entrepreneurs.”

Island Fin has also recently been named on the “SUPERHERO BRAND 500” list by FranServe. To be named on this list shows each brand values a fun and rewarding lifestyle and emphasizes people fulfilling their dreams of business ownership through franchising. Brands on this list are recognized for going above and beyond and being superheroes. This is based on criteria of brand identity, clear marketing message, industry leader, turnkey model, operational support, training and scalability.

“We’re thrilled to be recognized as one of the top new and emerging franchises yet again and as a Superhero brand,” said Mark Setterington, CEO of Island Fin Poké Co. “Our team and franchisees have worked tirelessly to build a strong and sustainable business model that resonates with our guests across the country, and this ranking is a testament to their hard work and dedication.”

The brand continues to grow its fan base and introduce poké to new audiences and draw interest from new franchisees across America. Determined to offer more and appeal to new guests, Island Fin began offering free two-ounce samples of their most popular options for guests to try, with the goal of making poké more approachable and educating guests on the endless options of flavors. Since its introduction, the free two-ounce sample of poké is converting guests at POS at a rate of over 95%, turning people who thought they would never even try it into new poké lovers because of their amazing experience and the combination of exotic and familiar flavors.

Perhaps one of the most extraordinary and unique features at Island Fin is the absence of trash cans and dining trays in the dining room. Unlike all other fast-casual and fast-food restaurants, the team members will serve each guest their food and clear the always empty dishes and trash at the end of the meal.

“We believe that our commitment to guest service, quality and sustainability sets us apart from other restaurant brands,” added Setterington. “We’re getting a lot of attention from young entrepreneurs interested in franchising because of our unique franchise model, the growing trend for healthy food that is delicious and our simplified fast-casual concept.”

Because their poké bowls are paramount in freshness, flavor and ingredients, the brand has been recognized and celebrated through several other noteworthy awards over the last six years as well. Earlier this year, they were recognized as a Top 100 Game Changer for 2022 by Franchise Dictionary Magazine. To be recognized, the brand had to fulfill an assortment of criteria including impressing millennials, making an impact, serving their community, creating an opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs and filling a niche.

To learn more about the brand’s Ohana or becoming a franchisee, visit https://www.IslandFinPoke.com/.

ORLANDO, Fla. — To introduce a new variation of bold flavors and appeal to guests who are not already poké fans, national franchise, Island Fin Poké Co. added a new Korean BBQ Chicken Bowl to their menu. On March 13 and for a limited time only, the new Korean BBQ Chicken Bowl will be available in all locations. This addition is directly intended to diversify their menu, offer more options to their guests and welcome chicken lovers into their Ohana- which translates to “family” in the Hawaiian language.

Island Fin Poké Co. is a Florida-based fast-casual concept known for its Hawaiian-style build-your-own poké bowls that are more than just a bowl, they’re a lifestyle. This means each time a guest experiences a poké bowl at Island Fin, it’s incrediBOWL, with only the best farm-to-fork and boat-to-bowl ingredients. Aside from the traditional fish options of tuna, salmon, shrimp and octopus, Island Fin also offers protein options of chicken, tofu and spam to cater to all preferences.

The brand has experienced such positive reviews with guests trying chicken bowls, they decided to create this special new bowl to appeal to those specific guests – knowing they would love the unique flavor combinations. Since each bowl is customized to the guests’ liking, this new bowl is crafted with the intention of creating a memorable experience. Every bowl, including the new Korean BBQ Chicken Bowl, is created to fuel guests with a meal that is delicious, healthy and bursting with flavor.

This new bowl was taste-tested and specifically created with their guests in mind. To start off, the Korean BBQ Chicken Bowl has a perfectly steamed white rice base. Then, the sweet and spicy flavor combination is created, mixing high-quality chicken with corn, sweet onions and Korean BBQ sauce, resulting in the classic bold flavor Island Fin is known for. Following this, kimchi and spicy pickled vegetables are placed on top of the rice and the BBQ chicken, sweet onion and corn mix-ins. Then, green onions and sesame seeds are sprinkled on top while also being finished off with Island Fin’s handcrafted Togarashi sauce.

“Adding a new menu item is something we take our time with, and we take it very seriously to ensure our guests will love it. This motivates us to reach the next level of offering remarkable service and an amazing experience to every guest. We’re so excited for our guests to try the exotic flavors of this new bowl,” says Setterington.

The franchise gives guests a five plus one sensory experience, with its Ohana vibe being the sixth sense. All these amazing interactions combined make the brand so welcoming and inviting. Most importantly, senses are heightened with the incredibly fresh combinations of flavors of poké, toppings, mix-ins and sauces in every bite.

“Island Fin is always looking for ways to adapt to our communities and bring something new to the family table. We create everything with the guest experience in mind, including our new Korean BBQ Chicken Bowl,” says Mark Setterington, CEO and Co-founder of Island Fin Poké Co.

Go to the nearest Island Fin Poké Co. to taste the new Korean BBQ Chicken Bowl now! For more information on the brand, please visit https://www.islandfinpoke.com/. For information on franchising, please visit https://www.islandfinpoke.com/franchise/. For media inquiries, please contact Bianca Kasawdish at bianca@teaminnovision.com.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Imagine a meal that is colorful, gluten-free, low fat, packed with top-quality protein, healthy and, most importantly, incredibly delicious. All these factors describe poké, yet many do not know what poké is. So, to inspire people to expand their palates, Florida based fast-casual, national franchise, Island Fin Poké Co., created a solution: come into any of their locations for a free sample, try a bite and fall in love. Starting on Dec. 1, from 11am – 2pm and 5pm – 8pm, all Island Fin Poké Co. locations will be offering free two-ounce sample sizes to welcome new guests to experience the bold flavors in each bowl.

At Island Fin, each poké bowl is created with a combination of proteins beyond the commonly presumed option of tuna, with endless possibilities of mix-ins, toppings, and handcrafted sauces that surprise even the most hesitant guests whenever they try it. Franchisees have experienced almost a one hundred percent sales conversion after guests are offered to sample the poké at Island Fin because the experience is so surprisingly delightful, turning them into loyal guests.

“When a guest comes into Island Fin Poké Co., it is our goal to provide them with an incredible sensory experience. This means the environment is beautiful, there’s thematic music always playing, all the surfaces are clean andwelcoming with a fresh scent, and everything tastes incredible. We also have a sixth sense here at Island Fin, we call it Ohana. Everyone feels the friendliness, vibe and welcoming environment of Ohana during every visit,” says Mark Setterington, CEO and Founder of Island Fin Poké Co.

Known for its Hawaiian-style, build-your-own poké bowls that are more than just a bowl, Island Fin Poké Co. is a lifestyle. The brand is built the Ohana Way, making sure there is a family-like experience in all aspects of the company, while combining unique and delicious flavors into a healthy bowl. Each bowl is personally created to the liking of each guest while using top-quality ingredients, making every guest experience incrediBOWL.

This sample size consists of the four of Island Fin’s most popular options for guests to choose from to introduce this healthy offering to people who are new to poké. Guests can choose their sample of Ahi Tuna, Spicy Tuna, Salmon, or Chicken. Each protein is paired with the best combination of mix-ins, toppings, and sauces, breaking the raw fish stigma, one bowl at a time.

At Island Fin Poké Co., each regular bowl is completely customizable, offering endless possibilities for guests to experience. There are three bases to choose from: white rice, brown rice, and spring mix. Next, guests choose from eight options of top-quality protein such as tuna, chicken, salmon, tofu, spam, octopus, and shrimp. Each protein is offered with a choice of marinating sauce and mix-ins of five options, then leveled up with 21 toppings options, and finally, drizzled with one of their unique, exotic finishing sauces.

Supporting the CEO’s mission, all Island Fin Poké Co. locations offer an amazing sensory experience and provide guests with friendly service in a clean environment during every visit, which is implemented into every aspect of the brand, and in each interaction. Guests walk into a bright and friendly environment, greeted by a welcoming staff, with curated music and friendly conversation among all employees and guests. Most importantly, senses are heightened with the incredible and fresh combination of flavors of poké, toppings, mix-ins and sauces in every bite.

All of this is demonstrated and supported by their team members personally serving each order out to the table of each guest, then clearing plates and cleaning up after each guest as soon as they are finished, with no trash cans in the dining area at all, to avoid the unsightly view and odor that a trash can in a fast-casual restaurant can create. Each experience is personalized at every location from the moment guests walk through the doors until the moment they leave, as if guests were dining at their family’s home, because that’s the Ohana Way.

As Island Fin Poké Co. remains on its steady path of growth, the brand continues to welcome more guests and franchisees to its Ohana. For more information, or if interested in joining the brand’s Ohana, please visit https://www.islandfinpoke.com/. For media inquiries, please contact: bianca@teaminnovision.com.

SALT LAKE CITY — National franchise, Island Fin Poké Co. is expanding its fast-growing Ohana for the very first time to the community of Utah, bringing its Hawaiian custom poké bowls to Salt Lake City with a new location set to open on October 24. To welcome guests into their Ohana, prior to opening day, on October 22, Island Fin is treating its new community members to a free regular bowl of delicious poké from 11:30am to 1pm. This marks its first ever location in Utah, with plans to expand and two more scheduled locations to open in the state.

The expansion to a new market is reflective of Island Fin Poké Co.’s incredible growth. The brand is accelerating its national expansion, recently entering into four new markets, with 24 locations open, 58 sold, with multiple franchise areas under development.

Island Fin Poké Co. is a Florida-based fast-casual concept known for its Hawaiian-style build-your-own poké bowls that are more than just a bowl, they’re a lifestyle. Guests can choose from responsibly sourced ingredients and can customize and curate their own poké bowl, with options including over eight proteins, 25 different toppings, gluten-free house-made sauces that have been creatively crafted, and specialty mix-ins.

Island Fin Poké Co.’s brand is built on the principle of treating every franchise, guest, and community like Ohana. It is focused on offering a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, so every person apart of the brand feels special and a part of its Ohana during every visit.

“Island Fin Poké Co. is fresh, healthy, and such a fun concept to be a part of, we couldn’t be happier to share it with our family and friends in Utah,” said Hannah Stout, new Island Fin Poké Co. franchise owner. “Being a part of the Island Fin Poké Co. family is amazing, and we are thrilled to grow that passion and serve our community at large. This location will not only be a place of comfort and family, but also give this community a new experience of Hawaiian cuisine.”

From the curated music to the friendly service at each counter, the smiling team members carrying food to each table and the genuine farewell each guest receives upon leaving, Island Fin Poké Co. offers a full-service experience to every guest that walks through its doors, treating everyone like family.

“This expansion is very exciting for our brand,” says Mark Setterington, CEO and co-owner. “As the poké industry continues to grow, we want people to not only taste great food, but experience an environment that is welcoming and a place where guests can leave feeling like they belong to our Ohana.”

As Island Fin Poké Co. continues to grow, the brand is always looking to add to its Ohana. For more information, or if interested in joining the brand’s Ohana, please visit https://www.islandfinpoke.com/.