The Clever Koi

What The Clever Koi does

The Clever Koi is a privately held, Asian-inspired restaurant concept operating two full-service locations in the Phoenix metropolitan area: the flagship on North Central Avenue in Phoenix and a second location in Gilbert, Arizona. The company is owned by Born & Raised Hospitality, a local hospitality group that also operates Fellow Osteria and Across the Pond Phoenix. The concept centers on an evolving menu of steamed buns, house-made dumplings, progressive noodle dishes, and small plates drawing on flavors from Thailand, Korea, China, Vietnam, Japan, and Indo-China, paired with a craft cocktail program built by named partner and award-winning mixologist Joshua James. The business is small and operationally lean, with employment stated in the 11–50 range.

Revenue is generated through three streams: dine-in food and beverage sales at both restaurant locations, off-site catering services, and bar program sales including seasonal cocktails and a daily happy hour. Pricing is disclosed via PDF menus on the company website, with online ordering and gift card transactions facilitated through the Toasttab platform. The go-to-market is regional and consumer-facing, supported by social media (Instagram @cleverkoi), email newsletter signup, and the corporate website. The customer base is primarily local diners and food enthusiasts in the Phoenix and Gilbert trade areas, with an event/catering overlay serving private and corporate occasions. No technology stack, proprietary platform, or AI/ML capabilities are disclosed; the concept is a traditional brick-and-mortar restaurant operation with digital ordering enabled through a third-party integration.

Name

The Clever Koi

Legal name

The Clever Koi

Website

https://thecleverkoi.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Clever Koi is a privately held Asian-inspired restaurant concept operating two dine-in locations in Phoenix and Gilbert, Arizona, owned by Born & Raised Hospitality and serving local diners with pan-Asian cuisine, an award-winning craft cocktail program, and catering.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Casual Dining Restaurant

NAICS

Full-Service Restaurants (722511)

SIC

Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

Ethnic & Regional Cuisine Restaurants (THAFACAD)

Keywords

• Asian-inspired cuisine
• Restaurant dining
• Craft cocktail bar
• Event catering
• Private event hosting

Headquarters

HQ city

Phoenix

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Dine-in Food and Beverage Sales: Revenue from serving Asian-inspired cuisine including steamed buns, house made dumplings, progressive noodle dishes, and small plates to dine-in guests at both Phoenix and Gilbert locations.
2. Catering Services: Off-site catering services offered for events in both Phoenix and Gilbert markets.
3. Bar Program Sales: Revenue from alcoholic beverages including seasonal cocktails crafted by award-winning mixologist Joshua James, with daily happy hour promotions.

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

The Clever Koi operates Asian-inspired full-service restaurants and bars, serving a seasonally evolving menu of steamed buns, house-made dumplings, progressive noodle dishes, and small plates reflecting flavors from Thailand, Korea, China, Vietnam, Japan, and Indo-China. It also runs a craft cocktail program, offers off-site catering, and hosts private events at its Phoenix and Gilbert, Arizona locations.

Product overview

The Clever Koi is a dual-location Asian-inspired restaurant and bar concept operating in Phoenix and Gilbert, Arizona. The core offerings consist of The Kitchen (dining with steamed buns, dumplings, noodles, and small plates) and The Bar (craft cocktails), supplemented by catering and event space services. The restaurant sources flavors from multiple Asian regions including Thailand, Korea, China, Vietnam, Japan, and Indo-China. Online ordering is facilitated through Toast Tab integration for both locations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Kitchen (Dine-in Dining Experience) Full-service Asian-inspired dining experience featuring an evolving menu of steamed buns, house-made dumplings, progressive noodle dishes, and small plates reflecting flavors from Thailand, Korea, China, Vietnam, Japan, and Indo-China. Available to dine-in guests at both Phoenix and Gilbert locations.
• The Bar (Craft Cocktail Program) Craft cocktail bar program offering a seasonal selection of bespoke drinks and refined classics, available at both Phoenix and Gilbert locations. Includes daily happy hour promotions.
• Catering Services

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• ToasttabcoreTechnology or IntegrationToasttab provides the online ordering platform and gift card system for The Clever Koi. Customers can order online and purchase gift cards through the Toasttab platform for both Phoenix and Gilbert locations.
• Born & Raised HospitalitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBorn & Raised Hospitality is the parent company and hospitality group behind The Clever Koi. The restaurant is described as a 'Born & Raised Hospitality Concept.' The group also operates Fellow Osteria and Across the Pond Phoenix.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• Jinya Ramen Bar: Growing Asian noodle/bar concept with multiple U.S. locations. Comparable in the noodle/small-plate category Clever Koi emphasizes, with similar full-service-plus-bar format and value-oriented price points.

Direct peers

• Fellow Osteria: Sister concept under the same Born & Raised Hospitality parent. Operates as a full-service, chef-driven restaurant in Phoenix with a strong beverage program — directly comparable in operating model, hospitality group affiliation, and customer overlap with Clever Koi.
• Pok Pok (Andy Ricker concepts): Chef-driven Asian (Thai/Southeast Asian) restaurant concept known for regional authenticity and craft cocktails. Compares to Clever Koi on pan-Asian authenticity, rotating seasonal menu, and a craft bar program as a primary draw.
• Chelsea's Kitchen: Full-service Phoenix restaurant with scratch-driven seasonal menu and craft bar. Directly comparable in market (Phoenix Arcadia), service style, and bar-led differentiation that drives repeat traffic.
• Across the Pond Phoenix: Another Born & Raised Hospitality concept operating in Phoenix. Sister brand within the same parent group, sharing back-office, marketing, and operational infrastructure with Clever Koi.
• The Gladly: Phoenix full-service restaurant with a noted cocktail program and contemporary American menu. Comparable as a Phoenix full-service restaurant where the bar program is a primary draw and differentiation lever.

Regional players

• Postino WineCafe: Arizona-based full-service restaurant group with multiple Valley locations. Compares on multi-unit Phoenix footprint, full-service dining, and bar-led traffic, though focused on wine/Italian rather than Asian cuisine.

Broad incumbents

• Din Tai Fung: Global Asian full-service brand famous for dumplings, noodles, and steamed buns — categories that overlap directly with Clever Koi's signature items. Comparable product mix and full-service dining model.
• True Food Kitchen: Phoenix-originated full-service restaurant group with an Asian-influenced, seasonal menu and craft bar. Compares on chef-driven, seasonally rotating menu, Arizona roots, and bar-led dining experience.
• P.F. Chang's: National full-service Asian-inspired chain also headquartered in Arizona. Overlaps with Clever Koi on Asian menu categories (dumplings, noodles, small plates) and full-service dining experience, but at much larger scale and with a different price/marketing positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat2 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/cleverkoi
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-clever-koi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Clever Koi