Pokeworks Swimming in the Fast Lane

There is nothing in business that is easier to do than give customers what they want.  Pokeworks has been listening to consumers touchpoints concerns and is taking out a pain-point for customers by adding a “cruise-line” (Drive-thru) according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

So, get this Pokeworks recently released a prototype for its first-ever Cruise-Thru Lane—a mobile order pick-up lane developed with “on-the-go” guests in mind. Customers will be able to order ahead online and pickup without having to leave their vehicles. Poke is now becoming fresh food fast as the first Cruise-Thru Lane is set to debut in Knoxville, Tennessee in the spring of 2021.

Pokeworks’ Cruise-Thru Lane is not the traditional drive-thru model, but rather the authentic design, which pays tribute to the brand’s Hawaiian-inspired roots, allows guests to place a mobile order on the Pokeworks Rewards App prior to arriving at the restaurant. The rewards app is available on the app store for both Android and iPhone users. After placing a mobile order, guests can make their way to the restaurant—upon arrival, they will be able to skip the in-store line and cruise right up to the window to pick up their order quickly and efficiently—without ever stepping foot out of their vehicle.

Moving forward Pokeworks plans to integrate Cruise-Thru Lanes into its future restaurant build-outs—primarily in suburban areas, where the concept is most poised for success – in order to better serve the time-starve, convenience-driven consumer.

Technology matters, the new design rollout rides on the heels of rapid expansion and optimization of Pokeworks’ digital and in-store experience to better serve the ever-changing consumer lifestyle, while maintaining profitability for its franchise partners through this added revenue stream.

Peter Yang, chief development officer and co-founder of Pokeworks , “This year we’ve seen that safety, comfort and convenience have become the top priority for today’s consumers. The Cruise-Thru™ Lane is just one way we’ve leaned into our commitment to innovation and adapting to better serve the needs of our guests, while maintaining delicious, high quality cuisine,” ... “It’s our responsibility to listen to our guests and their needs while providing a solution without losing sight of the essence of our brand, which is the epitome of what the Cruise-Thru Lane is for Pokeworks. We look forward to testing the prototype and continuing to grow as we continue to serve communities nationwide.”

Pokeworks has been taking enhanced precautions to ensure the safety of its guests and team members based on recommendations from the National Restaurant Association, and the CDC, and will continue to do so throughout the integration of the Cruise-Thru Lane.

Founded in 2015, Pokeworks is building on momentum largely fueled by its millennial relevance and deep-rooted commitment to sustainability efforts.  Who are your customers and how are you giving them what they want? Are you ready to enter the Grocerant niche with Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh food fast?

Don’t over reach. Are you ready for some fresh ideations? Do your food marketing ideations look more like yesterday than tomorrow? Interested in learning how Foodservice Solutions® can edify your retail food brand while creating a platform for consumer convenient meal participation, differentiation and individualization?  Email us at: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us or visit us on our social media sites by clicking the following links: Facebook,  LinkedIn, or Twitter 

ASAP Poke Fresh Fish Fast

Regular readers of this blog know that a ‘Ghost Restaurant’ a restaurant without a location aka it has no location. On July 11, 2017 Lettuce Entertain You is debuting ASAP Poke, a delivery-only restaurant that will be serving signature and make-your-own poke bowls and rolls.  Our Grocerant Guru® says Fresh Fish Fast is ‘Better-for-You.  ASAP POKE will help evolve the virtual space once again and Lettuce Entertain You has the foodservice experience to give it a hell of a shot.  But will it work? Is Poke the right product? ASAP Poke was born out of a single idea: to bring Chicago the freshest, sushi-quality fish coupled with seasonal ingredients, as fast as possible.

Chef Hockett of ASAP Poke Stated: “The idea for this concept came about as we were sourcing some the best quality fish for our restaurants, and we thought it would be great to be able to share this product with our guest in a more convenient, affordable way.“With ASAP Poke we are not only able to get creative with our signature bowls and rolls, but also give guests the option to choose from an extensive list of ingredients, toppings and sauces to create their own.”

ASAP Poke will be available for delivery Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner and will offer a selection of four, signature poke as well as the option to create your own combination; both can be ordered as a poke bowl or a six-piece maki roll. All pokes are available in two sizes: regular for $12.95 (24 ounces that can be ordered as a bowl or a roll) or shortie for $9.95 (16 ounce available as bowls only). Once you pick your base, you can choose from chef’s signature combinations including:

Classic Avocado Poke: Ginger, Scallions, Classic Poke Marinade, Rice, Sliced Cucumbers, Avocado, Soy Beans, Shredded Lettuce, Watermelon Radish, Seaweed, Pickled Ginger, Sesame Seeds

Big Island Spicy Poke: Ginger, Scallions, Rice, Spicy Mayo, Pickled Mushrooms, Diced Avocado, Watermelon Radish, Sliced Jalapeños, Shredded Lettuce, Pickled Ginger, Sesame Seeds

Maui Crunch Poke: Ginger, Scallions, Ponzu Sauce, Rice, Shredded Lettuce, Pickled Mushrooms, Pickled Ginger, Watermelon Radish, Seaweed, Crunchy Shallots

Yuzu Poke: Yuzu Dressing, Ginger, Rice, Sliced Cucumber, Seaweed, Tomato Salsa, Pickled Ginger, Tobiko, Furikake

Prefer to make-your-own poke? ASAP is consumer interactive and participatory as customers can also design their bowl or roll depending on their tastes. Start with a base of sushi rice, brown rice, quinoa tabouli or greens. Next, pick your protein: tuna, salmon, hamachi, and gingered beets. Add up to six toppers including: soy beans, sliced cucumber, watermelon radish, seaweed, tomato salsa, avocado, shredded lettuce, pickled ginger, pickled mushrooms, sliced jalapeños, ginger, sliced scallions, tobiko, and more.

If success does leave clues and it does Lettuce Entertain You Chicago’s track record is stellar and has been copied by many.  The team and Foodservice Solutions® believes that this ‘better-for-you’ fresh seafood ideation will be copied as well. 

Are you ready for some fresh ideations? Do your food marketing tactics look more like yesterday that tomorrow?  Visit www.FoodserviceSolutions.us for more information or contact: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us Remember success does leave clues and we just may the clue you need to propel your continued success.