Leading fast-casual poke brand doubles down on international growth with the largest online platform in MENA region
New York-born and Hawaiian-inspired fast casual brand Pokeworks continues to lead the poke category by bringing healthy, high-quality, customizable Poke Your Way to mindful consumers across the globe.
Pokeworks will further expand that reach with its partnership with talabat, the leading tech delivery platform in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). This partnership will strengthen Pokeworks’ commitment to continuously form best-in-class relationships as it becomes the leading fast-casual poke brand in the world. Pokeworks now has more than 65 locations across 20 states, Taiwan and Mexico, with the MENA region now in the pipeline.
In its first phase of expansion in the Middle East, Pokeworks expects to open 10 delivery-only locations in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain over the next three years, starting with Dubai in 2023. With talabat being part of German Delivery Hero, which has a network of online food delivery companies worldwide, Pokeworks plans to achieve its mission of spreading its love of poke with the groundbreaking approach of endless customization. Its use of talabat’s robust infrastructure and technology will help it quickly become the industry leader in the Middle East.
“At Pokeworks, our goal is to bring our Poke Your Way experience to consumers everywhere,” said Pokeworks CEO Steve Heeley. “That is why we have partnered with the largest online food ordering operator in the Middle East. Our plan is to enhance our brand’s online visibility and reach, while benefiting from talabat’s robust technology and large logistics network. This new collaboration with talabat will soon enable our fans to enjoy poke wherever they may be!”
“We are thrilled to be Pokeworks’ preferred delivery partner as we expand their footprint in the Middle East,” said Vice President of Kitchens at talabat Joseph Cherian. “This alliance reflects our commitment to bringing loved brands from across the region, and the world, closer to our customers. Our goal is to utilize our technology to offer both our partners and customers the same levels of ease, reliability and experience that is synonymous with talabat.”
The partnership will position Pokeworks as talabat’s exclusive international poke brand while helping talabat grow its presence outside the region, leveraging Pokeworks’ position as the poke category leader.
To learn more about Pokeworks, its locations and view its full menu, visit pokeworks.com. Guests can download the talabat app at apple.com/talabat.
Pokeworks was founded in 2015 with the simple mission of spreading its love of poke – the crisp, fresh, healthy Hawaiian favorite – with the world. Pokeworks’ innovative Poke Your Way approach is groundbreaking, offering guests limitless 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 living a healthy lifestyle and eating 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 three consecutive years on Fast Casual’s “Top 100 Movers and Shakers” list. The brand has more than 65 locations across 20 states, Taiwan, and Mexico. Additional development agreements were recently signed in Canada and Middle East. For more information, visit pokeworks.com or follow Pokeworks on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.
Since delivering its first order in Kuwait in 2004, talabat has grown into the leading local tech platform in the region. Being part of Delivery Hero, the global leader in online food delivery and q-commerce, talabat has delivered hundreds of millions of food orders, grocery items and other products, to customers in nine different countries. In 2021 alone, talabat facilitated the donation of well over 900,000 meals to those in need, as well as donated over $2.2 million to charity with the help of its partners and customers. Talabat’s customers, partners, people, riders, and the communities in which it operates are at the heart of what they do. In the last 18 years, the food delivery business has worked with well over 25,000 brands and almost 50,000 branches, while its q-commerce concept, talabat mart, now delivers groceries to customers in Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman Qatar, and the UAE in many cases, 20 minutes or less. For more information, visit www.talabat.com.
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