Pokeworks Wants to Triple Its Outposts in Houston

Pokeworks is hoping that Houston has a limitless appetite for raw fish. The NYC-based poke chain already has a fleet of restaurants in the area, recently opening a new Pearland shop and one in Webster to join outposts in the Heights, Montrose, and Katy.

Now the Houston Business Journal reports that Pokeworks is bringing nine more locations to Houston and its suburbs, thanks to a multiunit franchise agreement. That would almost triple its restaurant count here.

The expansion is expected to happen throughout the year and it’s off to a quick start: a new location at 1609 S. Post Oak Lane (formerly home to Gigi’s Cupcakes) is set to open in February.

“Houston is an ideal market to develop the Pokeworks concept in due to its strong demographics and urban setting, which represents vital elements key to our brand,” the company’s co-founder Kevin Hsu said in a statement announcing the news.

• Poke restaurant chain to add nine more Houston-area locations [HBJ]
• Pokeworks’ New Shop in Pearland Is Here [EHOU]
• NYC’s PokeWorks Sets Its Sights on Houston’s Suburbs [EHOU]
• Tracking Houston’s Poke Invasion [EHOU]
• Has the Poke Trend Peaked? [E]