Pokeworks Franchisees Expand to Their Seventh Location While Demonstrating the Benefit of Second-Generation Spaces to Support Opening Process

IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Pokeworks, the largest and fastest-growing fast-casual poke brand known for its fresh, customizable offerings, is continuing to expand its presence across Texas as longtime franchisees Carol and Marcos Blanco grow in the Austin market. With six currently open and a seventh planned to open by the end of 2026, the couple is taking a strategic approach to expansion by prioritizing high-quality real estate and leveraging the flexibility of Pokeworks’ restaurant model. With features such as simplified kitchen requirements and no required hoods, Pokeworks offers franchisees greater flexibility when evaluating potential locations. Second-generation restaurant spaces can also provide additional efficiencies by helping to accelerate the path to opening, a strategy that has been beneficial to the Blanco’s as they continue their growth with the brand.

The Blanco’s opened their first Pokeworks location in Austin in June 2020 after relocating to the United States. When they were given the option to secure a territory for either three or five locations, the couple chose the more ambitious five-store commitment, which allowed them to establish a strong presence in the Austin market. Continuing their development in 2026 and beyond, the couple is preparing to open their second location of the year and seventh overall in Round Rock at 2601 Sundance Parkway by the end of the year.

A Flexible Model for Expansion

For Carol and Marcos, expansion starts with finding the right site in the right market and understanding how a location can support their long-term business goals. Pokeworks’ simplified operational model and minimal kitchen footprint set the brand apart from traditional fast-casual concepts with full kitchens. Because the brand doesn’t require full-service kitchens, franchisees have the unique advantage of repurposing second-generation spaces, including former coffee shops, boba spots, and juice bars, to launch faster and more cost-effectively.

For the Blancos, this has become an important part of their real estate strategy as they continue to identify locations throughout the Austin area.

“For us, it’s been worth it to wait to find the right location that fits our business goals,” said Marcos Blanco, Pokeworks Franchisee. “Pokeworks’ streamlined construction and operations give us incredible site flexibility, making the launch process faster and more efficient—especially when taking advantage of second-generation spaces. “

Their Cedar Park location demonstrates the benefits of this approach, having been converted into a Pokeworks in two months from start to finish. They’ve continued to seek out existing restaurant spaces in targeted areas. The Blancos have made this strategy a key part of their expansion.

“Sometimes finding the right location means starting the conversation early,” said Carol Blanco, Pokeworks Franchisee. “We’ve learned to be proactive and build relationships with owners and stay connected to areas where we see potential for Pokeworks to thrive. Having that flexibility in the types of spaces we can consider has been tremendously valuable.”

Hands-On Approach to Franchise Growth

The couple’s growth strategy reflects their highly hands-on approach to operating their business. Even with expanding to their seventh location, they continue to operate their company much like they did when they only had one restaurant. Marcos remains heavily involved in day-to-day operations while Carol oversees the business’ administrative functions.

Carol and Marcos’ operational involvement has also strengthened their relationship with the Pokeworks corporate team. The couple appreciates that the brand values the perspectives of its franchisees and is committed to serving them with their goals in mind. Pokeworks’ leadership team has played a pivotal role in the Blancos’ success, providing an immense amount of support throughout their franchise journey, particularly during the early stages of their business. Their first restaurant opened during COVID, which created a challenging introduction to restaurant ownership. Carol describes their relationship with Pokeworks as more like a family than a traditional franchisor-franchisee relationship.

For prospective franchisees, the leadership team’s experience offers a blueprint for approaching expansion with patience and persistence. Building with an established brand like Pokeworks gives franchisees the opportunity to enter their communities with an existing brand identity that has been thoughtfully curated to best serve guests and owners.

“Carol and Marcos’ success is a testament to their strong and driven commitment to finding the right sites for their business,” said Peter Yang, Co-founder of Pokeworks. “Finding a great location and pairing it with high-level operations is the key to building a successful Pokeworks restaurant, and they’re a wonderful example of how to do just that. We look forward to working alongside them as they continue to build a strong presence in the Austin area.”

For more information on Pokeworks’ franchise opportunities, visit pokeworks.com/franchise/

About Pokeworks

Founded in 2015, Pokeworks was born from a passion to spread its love of poke –the crisp, fresh, healthy Hawaiian favorite – with the world. Pokeworks’ innovative Poke Your Way® approach is groundbreaking, offering guests over 50,000 ways to customize their poke order to match their eating preferences including vegan, gluten-free, and other mindful diets. The Poke Burrito has developed a cult-like following, much like Pokeworks’ proprietary sauces, which range from sweet and spicy to savory. Pokeworks believes in supporting a healthy lifestyle and serving guests meals made from the freshest, highest quality ingredients from sustainable food sources. In 2022, the brand was honored to be named the “Top Poke Franchise” by Startups Magazine. Pokeworks has quickly expanded to become the leading fast-casual poke brand in the world with seven consecutive years on Fast Casual’s “Top 100 Movers and Shakers” list. The brand has 85 locations across 22 states, Taiwan, and Canada. For more information, visit pokeworks.com, or follow Pokeworks on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok.

Contact: Sarah Bittinger | Franchise Elevator PR | sbittinger@franchiseelevator.com

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