Toronto-based restaurant hospitality firm, Eat Up Canada Inc., the Master Franchisor for Pokeworks in Canada, is planning to open its ninth location in Canada on Queen St West in downtown Toronto in January followed in April by a location in Richmond Hill. George Heos, co-founder of Eat Up Canada, adds that five to seven openings are anticipated in 2027 focusing on Ontario, with British Columbia and Alberta to follow. Pokeworks is a quick service concept that features a ‘poke menu’, the unique, native Hawaiian dish traditionally made from diced seafood, frequently tuna, salmon or octopus, marinated with soy sauce, sesame oil, and other seasonings. The company was introduced in Southern California in 2015, and Eat Up Canada, Heos and co-founder Alex Gerzon, acquired the Master Franchise rights for Canada in mid-2022. The Pokeworks restaurants are traditionally in end cap and inline units the 1200 to 1800 square foot range located in high traffic centres that provide strong visibility, accessibility and parking. At least 20 feet of frontage is necessary. Mike Sabetti at CBRE Ltd. is handling the chain’s site selection for Pokeworks in Ontario. Heos is handling the real estate search in other Canadian markets and Gerzon is handling the franchising in Canada.
CBRE Ltd., 2005 Sheppard Ave. East, North York, Ontario Mike Sabetti – 416/495-6300 mike.sabetti@cbre.com)
Eat Up Canada Inc., 486 Front St West, UG39, Toronto, Ontario M5V 0V2 (647/638-9832 www.eatupcanada.com), (George Heos – george.heos@eatupcanada.com) & (Alex Gerzon – alex.gerzon@eatupcanada.com)