Pokeworks vs Panda Express Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Pokeworks vs Panda Express including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Pokeworks Franchise
Panda Express Franchise
Investment $263,000 - $1,968,000$377,100 - $1,884,000
Franchise Fee $25,000 - $35,000N/A
Royalty Fee 6%-
Advertising Fee 1.5%-
Year Founded 20151983
Year Franchised 20161983
Term Of Agreement --
Term Of Agreement --
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Pokeworks Franchise
Panda Express Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options
 
Pokeworks Franchise
Panda Express Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees -/--/-
Start-up Costs -/--/-
Equipment -/--/-
Inventory -/--/-
Receivables -/--/-
Payroll -/--/-

Training & Support
 
Pokeworks Franchise
Panda Express Franchise
Training On-The-Job Training: 40 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours Additional Training: At training center -
Support Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet Platform -
Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app -
Operations Absentee Ownership Allowed Number of Employees Required to Run: 12-

Expansion Plans
 
Pokeworks Franchise
Panda Express Franchise
US Expansion Yes-
Canada Expansion --
International Expansion Yes-

Company Overviews

About Pokeworks

Pokéworks is a ground-breaking, healthy fast-casual restaurant concept that began on a rainy day in December of 2015 in a tiny location in Midtown Manhattan.  Today, it has grown into one of the largest and fastest growing poke brands in the nation and one we can proudly say is anchored almost entirely with multi-unit institutional franchisees.
Pokéworks was born on that quiet Winter day with a trickle of curious New Yorkers that wondered in to experience poke for the first time.  Weeks later, hundreds stood in line outside our tiny restaurant willing to wait 45 minutes or more to build their own poke burrito or bowl.  While more than 700 New Yorkers were enjoying our poke per day, our ground breaking “The ‘Sushi Burrito’ has hit NYC and its amazing” video went viral and received more than 42 million views. As a result, Pokéworks quickly became known worldwide as one of the leading poke franchise brands.

Media consensus is that Pokéworks’ extraordinary consumer appeal is fueled by the exceptional quality, efficiency and affordability of our healthy chef-driven menu.  Restaurateurs on the other hand marvel at our easy to execute menu as well as the simplicity of our kitchens with no hood, no deep frying and no in-ground grease trap requirement. While growing quickly with experienced multi-unit franchisees, Pokéworks has joined forces with Toridoll Holdings Corporation. The agreement with the $1.6 billion publicly traded restaurant giant (TYO: 3397) was specifically designed by both parties to leverage Toridoll’s considerable expertise in global brand development while allowing Pokéworks to maintain its successful founder-led focus and control. Our goal is to further solidify Pokéworks’ high-quality and affordable brand as the leader in the fast-growing poke segment world-wide.

The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Pokéworks franchised restaurant ranges between $263,000 to $661,000. This includes $35,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliates. If you enter into a Multiple Unit Development Agreement, you must commit to develop at least three restaurants for which the total investment necessary ranges between $774,000 to $1,968,000. This includes $90,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliates. The initial fee for each additional restaurant you commit to develop is $25,000.
Veteran Incentives  10% off franchise fee
#272 in Franchise 500 for 2021.   Not in Franchise 500 for 2020.


About Panda Express

"Panda

Panda Restaurant Group operates all of our restaurants with the exception of select locations in airports, universities, military bases, hospitals, casinos, amusement parks and stadiums. We do not offer franchises at this time.