London, England-based Island Poke is planning to develop 23 franchised restaurants in the United Kingdom over the next five years, along with 42 locations in France and Benelux. The poke bowl chain already operates 12 locations in the U.K. and one in France.
Backed by White Rabbit Group and Hero Brands, Island Poke recently signed its first two U.K. franchise partnerships, Propel reported. The expansion plans, which came about due to a recent Hero Brands’ investment, will start with the opening of a Camden Market, London location in mid-May.
Discussions are underway with additional partners to expand to a further 50 sites throughout the U.K., Propel said. In January, Island Poke launched nationwide delivery across the U.K., and it introduced do-it-yourself poke kits last year.
“Available to order via Plateaway, you can grab yourself our original kit with 2 tuna and 2 salmon bowls, our vegan kit with four tofu bowls, or our two-bowl options of either salmon or tuna,” the company said on its website.
Elsewhere in Europe, Milan, Italy-based Poke House, which operates more than 30 restaurants in Italy, Portugal, and Spain, recently raised EUR 20 million (USD 24 million) to expand its poke bowls delivery concept across Europe.
The restaurant chain, which uses technology and data to optimize delivery of its seafood and rice or noodle bowls, expects sales of more than EUR 40 million (USD 48 million) this year, TechCrunch reported.
Photo courtesy of Island Poke
