Lean Operations Expand Real Estate Opportunities

4 Min Read By MRM Staff

Discipline and data are two of the key words involved in Pokeworks' executives approach to brand expansion. The brand has applied both, prioritizing site quality rather than the speed of expansion to realize an 18-percent systemwide growth last year. 

In this Q&A with Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine, Pokeworks' Co-Founder and Head of Development Peter Yang reveals how the company defines an "ideal" location, why site quality is prioritized over speed, advantages of smaller footprints and a hoodless kitchen model, franchisee relationships, and the brand’s  expansion targets.

Why do you feel site quality matters more than speed for franchise growth?Growth for the sake of growth is a trap. In the franchise world, a "speed-first" mentality often leads to "C" sites that require twice the effort for half the return.

We view every new location as a 10-year commitment. By prioritizing site quality, we ensure our franchisees enter the market with a competitive…