Island Fin Poke
Island Fin Poké Co. is a Florida-based fast-casual franchise founded in 2017 that operates 15 Hawaiian-style customizable poke bowl restaurants across seven U.S. states, selling single-unit and area development franchises and serving health-conscious individual diners plus catering clients.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersOrlando, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Island Fin Poke does
Island Fin Poké Co. is a Florida-based fast-casual restaurant franchise founded in 2017 by Mark Setterington and Paul, specializing in customizable Hawaiian-style poke bowls. The company operates 15 franchise locations across Florida, California, Nevada, Connecticut, Colorado, and Massachusetts, with franchise agreements or locations in 19 states and an active international franchise sales program. Its core product is the IncrediBOWL, an 8-step build-your-own bowl system spanning base, protein, mix-in, marinating sauce, topping, premium topping, finishing sauce, and dry topping categories, with 9 protein options (Ahi Tuna, Salmon, Spicy Tuna, Shrimp, Chicken, KBBQ Chicken, Octopus, Tofu, Spam) and over 25 toppings. Signature pre-designed bowls and a Dole Soft Serve dessert line round out the menu.
The business is structured as an asset-light franchise system. The franchisor earns revenue from initial franchise fees (single-unit and area development) and ongoing royalties, while retail revenue is captured at franchisee-owned locations. Unit economics are designed around a 900–1,500 sq ft footprint with small kitchens and a higher ratio of guest seating, requiring $50,000–$150,000 (single-unit) or $150,000–$250,000+ (area development) in liquid capital. Digital channels include a mobile loyalty and ordering app built on the Lunchbox platform, online ordering at loyalty.islandfinpoke.com, and catering fulfillment through ezCater and direct channels at $15.95–$20.95 per person. The customer base is primarily individual health-conscious consumers seeking customizable, gluten-free, fast-casual meals, supplemented by event/corporate catering clients and franchisee operators as a distinct business-to-business segment.
The company is privately held and founder-owned with no disclosed institutional capital, has 11–50 corporate employees, and has been recognized on Entrepreneur's Top New & Emerging Franchises (2023), Franchise Times Top 100 (2023), and QSR Magazine's Brand to Watch (2023), among other industry awards. Its growth strategy centers on franchised unit expansion (domestic and international), brand-building through the 'Ohana' community culture, and incremental revenue from catering and digital ordering.
Island Fin Poke firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Island Fin Poke
- Legal name
- Island Fin Poké Co.®
- Website
- https://islandfinpoke.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Island Fin Poké Co. is a Florida-based fast-casual franchise founded in 2017 that operates 15 Hawaiian-style customizable poke bowl restaurants across seven U.S. states, selling single-unit and area development franchises and serving health-conscious individual diners plus catering clients.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Island Fin Poke industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Fast-casual restaurants
- NAICS
- Cafeterias, Grill Buffets, and Buffets (722514)
- SIC
- Food And Kindred Products (2000), Miscellaneous Food Preparations & Kindred Products (2090)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sushi/Sashimi-Grade & Raw Ready-to-Serve Seafood (Including Poke) (AFANALAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Soft-Serve Ice Cream Mix Manufacturing (AFAHAEAB)
Keywords
Where Island Fin Poke is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Orlando
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Island Fin Poke business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Retail Food & Beverage Sales (Franchise Locations): Revenue is generated through the sale of poke bowls, Dole Soft Serve, and beverages at franchise locations across the United States. Customers order in-store, online, or via the mobile app. Individual franchisees pay royalties and fees to the franchisor.
- Franchise Fees and Royalties: The company earns revenue by selling franchise licenses (single-unit and area development franchises). Franchisees invest $50,000-$250,000+ in liquid capital to open locations. The company also provides ongoing support and training services to franchisees.
- Catering Services: Catering orders are fulfilled through ezCater and directly. Menu options include Poké Mo'olelo platters ($15.95/person, 10-person minimum), Poké Nui Loa platters ($20.95/person), Flying Fish individually packaged bowls ($20 each), and premium topping upgrades. Revenue is generated per-person and per-item.
- Loyalty Program & App Commerce: The company's mobile app (built on Lunchbox platform) drives direct digital ordering and collects customer data. Users earn 1 point per $1 spent, with rewards including a free regular poke bowl on their birthday.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Poké Mo'olelo Build-Your-Own Bowl Platter |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Poké Nui Loa Build-Your-Own Bowl Platter |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Flying Fish Individually Packaged Bowls |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Single-Unit Franchise |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Area Development Franchise |
| Freemium | Monthly | Loyalty Program (Ohana Club) |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels8 records
Island Fin Poke product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Island Fin Poke Co. operates a fast-casual Hawaiian poke restaurant franchise built around the IncrediBOWL customization concept, which lets guests build their own poke bowl across 8 selection steps (base, protein, mix-ins, marinades, toppings, premium toppings, finishing sauces, dry toppings). The chain also sells signature pre-designed bowls, Dole Soft Serve desserts, catering platters, and a mobile loyalty app. The company is primarily a franchisor, licensing its brand, recipes, and operating model to franchisees who open and operate brick-and-mortar poke restaurants.
Product overview
Island Fin Poké Co. is a Florida-based fast-casual Hawaiian poké restaurant franchise founded in 2017, operating under the 'IncrediBOWL' concept that allows customers to build their own customizable poké bowls through an 8-step selection process. The core product offering includes Signature Bowls (pre-designed combinations of Ahi Tuna, Chicken, Korean BBQ Chicken, Salmon, and Spicy Tuna) alongside build-your-own options with various proteins, bases, sauces, and toppings. The company also offers Dole Soft Serve frozen desserts, catering services through the Poké Mo'olelo and Poké Nui Loa platter programs, and a loyalty mobile app for point accumulation and reordering. The brand operates 15 franchise locations across the United States and continues expanding through domestic and international franchise opportunities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- IncrediBOWL (Build-Your-Own Poke) Customizable Hawaiian poke bowl offering where customers build their own bowl across 8 steps: base, protein, mix-ins, marinating sauce, toppings, premium toppings, finishing sauces, and dry toppings. Served at all Island Fin Poke locations for dine-in, takeout, and delivery.
- Signature Poke Bowls Pre-designed poke bowl combinations including Ahi Tuna Bowl (355-635 cal), Chicken Bowl (305-585 cal), Korean BBQ Chicken Bowl (270-550 cal), Salmon Bowl (295-575 cal), and Spicy Tuna Bowl (340-620 cal) for customers who prefer a chef-curated meal.
- Dole Soft Serve Branded Dole Soft Serve frozen dessert served in original and seasonal flavors (pumpkin spice, coconut) as a distinctive add-on to the poke bowl experience.
- Poké Mo'olelo Catering Platter Group catering platter for events of 10 or more, priced at $15.95 per person, with choice of 2 bases, 2 proteins, 4 toppings, and 4 sauces. Premium topping upgrades available at small/medium/large sizes.
- Poké Nui Loa Catering Platter Premium catering platter at $20.95 per person, with choice of 3 bases, 3 proteins, 6 toppings, and 4 sauces. Premium topping upgrades available at small/medium/large sizes.
- Flying Fish Individually Packaged Catering Bowls Individually packaged poke bowls for events, at $20 each. Each includes a prepared signature house bowl, specialty chips, a cookie, and bottled water, making it easy to serve diverse guests without on-site assembly.
- Island Fin Poke Loyalty Mobile App Mobile application (iOS and Android, built on Lunchbox) that lets customers order ahead for pickup, earn 1 loyalty point per $1 spent, redeem a free regular poke bowl on their birthday, and access Double Points Days promotions.
- Single-Unit Franchise License Franchise license allowing an entrepreneur to open a single Island Fin Poke restaurant in a protected territory. Requires $50,000-$150,000 in liquid capital and offers a 900-1,500 sq ft low-investment restaurant model with full training and operational support.
- Area Development Franchise License Multi-unit franchise development agreement for franchisees to lock down a larger territory and build a series of Island Fin Poke locations. Requires $150,000-$250,000+ in liquid capital.
- International Master Franchise License International franchise opportunity for prospective master franchisees outside the United States. Requires proof of business ownership, restaurant operating experience, net worth disclosure, and non-borrowed funds available to invest.
Companies that use Island Fin Poke
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Island Fin Poke technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature1 record
Island Fin Poke partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Island Fin Poke competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Freshii: Customizable healthy fast-casual franchise with bowls, salads, wraps, and juices. Comparable on build-your-own menu mechanics and franchise-driven unit growth targeting health-conscious consumers.
- MAD Greens: Regional customizable salad/bowl chain with similar build-your-own mechanics and fresh-ingredient positioning. Comparable on product format and health-conscious customer base, though primarily regional.
Direct peers
- Pokeworks: Largest US poke franchise chain with build-your-own bowl model and multi-state footprint. Directly comparable on product (customizable poke), customer (health-conscious fast-casual diner), and franchise-driven growth model.
- Yogurtland: Self-serve customizable frozen dessert franchise with strong loyalty program and small-footprint stores. Comparable on build-your-own customization mechanic, franchise-driven growth, and small-footprint (900–1,500 sq ft class) real estate model.
- Sweetfin: Poké and sushi burrito franchise operating multiple US locations with build-your-own bowls. Closely comparable on raw-seafood customization, fast-casual pricing, and franchise expansion strategy.
- Aloha Poke Co. Hawaiian-themed poke chain serving customizable bowls with similar protein and topping menus. Comparable on product format, Hawaiian brand positioning, and franchise/company-store hybrid expansion.
Broad incumbents
- Nekter Juice Bar: Multi-unit juice and acai-bowl franchise emphasizing fresh, customizable healthy meals. Comparable on build-your-own menu, small-footprint franchise model, and health-conscious consumer positioning.
- CAVA: Public customizable Mediterranean bowl/salad chain with rapid US expansion. Comparable on customizable build-your-own format, fast-casual pricing, and tech-enabled ordering, though at much larger scale.
- Tropical Smoothie Cafe: Large US fast-casual franchise system in the healthy/smoothie-bowl category. Comparable franchise-driven unit economics, low-investment footprint, and health-positioned consumer targeting.
- Sweetgreen: Public customizable salad/bowl chain with tech-forward loyalty and digital ordering. Comparable on build-your-own healthy meal positioning and loyalty/digital ordering stack, though at materially larger scale and unit economics.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Island Fin Poke social profiles
Digital presenceIsland Fin Poke financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Island Fin Poke leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Island Fin Poke funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Island Fin Poke M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Island Fin Poke
What does Island Fin Poke do?
Island Fin Poke Co. operates a fast-casual Hawaiian poke restaurant franchise built around the IncrediBOWL customization concept, which lets guests build their own poke bowl across 8 selection steps (base, protein, mix-ins, marinades, toppings, premium toppings, finishing sauces, dry toppings). The chain also sells signature pre-designed bowls, Dole Soft Serve desserts, catering platters, and a mobile loyalty app. The company is primarily a franchisor, licensing its brand, recipes, and operating model to franchisees who open and operate brick-and-mortar poke restaurants.
Is Island Fin Poke a public or private company?
Island Fin Poke is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Island Fin Poke founded?
Island Fin Poke was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Island Fin Poke based?
Island Fin Poke is headquartered in Orlando, United States, in the North America region.
How does Island Fin Poke make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Retail Food & Beverage Sales (Franchise Locations) is the primary driver. The others are franchise Fees and Royalties, catering Services and loyalty Program & App Commerce.
Who are Island Fin Poke's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Freshii and MAD Greens. Direct peers are Pokeworks, Yogurtland, Sweetfin and Aloha Poke Co.. Broad incumbents are Nekter Juice Bar, CAVA, Tropical Smoothie Cafe and Sweetgreen.
Does Island Fin Poke have an API?
No public API is recorded for Island Fin Poke.
What industry is Island Fin Poke in?
Island Fin Poke's product category is Fast-casual restaurants. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFANALAI, Sushi/Sashimi-Grade & Raw Ready-to-Serve Seafood (Including Poke), with a secondary code of AFAHAEAB, Soft-Serve Ice Cream Mix Manufacturing. Its NAICS code is 722514 and its SIC code is 2000.