Gyu-Kaku vs Pokeworks Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Gyu-Kaku Franchise
Pokeworks Franchise
Investment $1,200,444 - $2,526,540$263,000 - $1,968,000
Franchise Fee $50,000$25,000 - $35,000
Royalty Fee 4%-5%6%
Advertising Fee 1.5%1.5%
Year Founded 19962015
Year Franchised 19972016
Term Of Agreement --
Term Of Agreement --
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Gyu-Kaku Franchise
Pokeworks Franchise
Experience --

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

Training & Support
 
Gyu-Kaku Franchise
Pokeworks Franchise
Training On-The-Job Training: 304 hours Classroom Training: 46 hours Additional Training: At company-owned restaurants On-The-Job Training: 40 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours Additional Training: At training center
Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Security/Safety Procedures Site Selection Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet Platform
Marketing Co-op Advertising Regional Advertising Social media Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app 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: 20Absentee Ownership Allowed Number of Employees Required to Run: 12

Expansion Plans
 
Gyu-Kaku Franchise
Pokeworks Franchise
US Expansion YesYes
Canada Expansion --
International Expansion YesYes

Company Overviews

About Gyu-Kaku

Gyu-Kaku System operates over 700 locations worldwide and has more than 10 years franchising experience in Japan.

Reins International USA has more than 8 years operating experience in the U.S. to modify the system for the U.S. market w/ 12 units.
Gyu-Kaku has been awarded the prestigious Hot Concept Award by the restaurant industry's premier trade publication, Nation's Restaurant News!
We like to think of it as the Oscars of the restaurant business. The Hot Concept Award is given each year by the editors of NRN to six emerging restaurant brands that have distinguished themselves as Hot Concepts: "fast-growing, financially proven overachievers that are on their way to becoming tomorrow's giants." Each winner must be a clearly defined concept that appeals to consumers and positions the company at the leading edge of foodservice.
The goal is to recognize brands for their innovation, successful business strategies and entrepreneurial spirit.

The initial franchise fee is $50,000. The estimated investment necessary to begin operation of a Gyu-Kaku franchise unit franchise range is $1,200,444 to $2,526,540. This includes $56,500 to $71,500 that is paid to the franchisor and its affiliates.
The franchisor may also offer you the optional right to execute an Area Development Agreement granting you a right to open one to four additional Outlets for an additional investment of $25,000 (for one additional Outlet) to $100,000 (for four additional Outlets), all of which must be paid to the franchisor.

"Entrepreneur

#240 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
#227 in Franchise 500 for 2021.




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.