Pokeworks Partners with Qu to Modernize POS, Boost Operational Efficiency, and Accelerate Franchise Growth

Qu's Unified Commerce Platform to Bolster Pokeworks' Operations and Support Future Innovation

ARLINGTON, Va. , June 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Qu, the leading provider of cloud-based unified commerce solutions, today announced its partnership with Pokeworks, a rapidly growing fast-casual brand known globally for its fresh and customizable poke bowls. By selecting Qu as its next-generation point-of-sale (POS) provider, Pokeworks is strategically investing in modernizing its restaurant technology, streamlining operations, and gaining real-time insights to drive future growth.

Pokeworks, which operates 73 locations across 20 U.S. states, Taiwan, and Canada, is off to a strong start in 2025, reporting an 11% same-store sales increase in April.* The brand is continuing its expansion with the recent announcement of a 10-unit franchise deal in San Antonio, Texas, and the sell-out of all available franchise territories in Houston.

Alongside significant sales and location growth, Pokeworks turned to Qu for a flexible, cloud-native platform built to scale easily and support franchise expansion, while streamlining ordering channels and operations systemwide. Franchise owners now benefit from a unified solution that eliminates common pain points, improves order accuracy, and enables oversight across all locations.

"With rapid advancements in restaurant technology, we needed a partner that could future-proof our operations while supporting the success of our franchisees," said Kasper Hsu, co-founder and head of IT at Pokeworks. "Qu's ability to seamlessly integrate with emerging technologies and provide real-time operational control made it the clear choice. Their team not only understood our vision for growth and innovation but also our commitment to empowering franchisees with the tools they need to thrive."

To support its growth and evolving digital needs, Pokeworks sought a POS solution with greater scalability and integration capabilities. Qu's unified commerce platform addresses these needs by enabling:

• Unmatched performance and 99.99% uptime with Qu's triple redundant platform, virtually eliminating downtime, even during peak rush periods.
• Effortless franchisee scalability, enabling fast rollouts, centralized menu control, and consistent operations.
• Certified integration ecosystem that streamlines systems into a fully connected tech stack, with over 100 loyalty, labor, payments, and gift card providers.
• Real-time operational intelligence with Notify, providing instant performance alerts and insights via voice or chat, ensuring operators never miss a beat.

As part of its modern tech stack, Pokeworks is taking full advantage of Notify, Qu's voice- and chat-enabled mobile app which enables store managers and franchisees to quickly access performance data in a natural, conversational manner. Notify provides customizable labor, item, and store-level reporting; trend identification; and performance analytics — giving operators real-time insights and the ability to act faster.

"Pokeworks is growing quickly, and we're focused on helping them scale with more efficient, connected operations," said Amir Hudda, CEO at Qu. "We built Qu to give restaurant operators and franchisees flexible, easy-to-use tools that support their growth and drive profitability — positioning them for whatever comes next. Whether it's new tech or shifting guest habits, Pokeworks will be ready."

Built on a flexible, microservices architecture, Qu lays the foundation for Pokeworks to tap into AI-driven tools and emerging tech, ensuring it stays ahead of industry trends. Qu's agile, three-week development sprints align with Pokeworks' core value of innovation, enabling continuous improvement without disrupting the guest journey or overcomplicating operations.

Together, Pokeworks and Qu are setting a new standard for technology-driven success in the fast-casual space, reinforcing the power of scalable, modern solutions in today's digital-first world.

For franchisees looking to join Pokeworks' rapidly expanding network, this investment ensures a future-proof operational model that enhances profitability and guest satisfaction. Learn more at pokeworksfranchise.com.

*Disclaimer: This information is not intended as an offer to sell a franchise. Any financial performance data referenced is for illustrative purposes only. An offer can only be made through a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). Actual results may vary. Please refer to our Item 19 for full details. The financial performance data referenced in this release, including same-store sales growth and individual franchisee performance, are provided for informational purposes only and do not represent a guarantee of future results. Actual results will vary and are dependent on numerous factors including, but not limited to, location, operational experience, local market conditions, and the level of effort by individual franchisees. Pokeworks does not make any representations or guarantees regarding individual earnings or profitability. Prospective franchisees should review the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and consult with their financial and legal advisors before making any investment decision.

About Pokeworks

Pokeworks was founded in 2015 with the simple mission of spreading its love of poke –the crisp, fresh, healthy Hawaiian favorite – with the world. Pokeworks' innovative Poke Your Way™ approach is groundbreaking, offering guests over 50,000 ways to customize their poke order to match their eating preferences including vegan, gluten-free, and other mindful diets. The Poke Burrito has developed a cult-like following, much like Pokeworks' proprietary sauces, which range from sweet and spicy to savory. Pokeworks believes in supporting a healthy lifestyle and serving guests meals made from the freshest, highest quality ingredients from sustainable food sources. In 2022, the brand was honored to be named the "Top Poke Franchise" by Startups Magazine. Pokeworks has quickly expanded to become the leading fast-casual poke brand in the world with five consecutive years on Fast Casual's "Top 100 Movers and Shakers" list. The brand has 73 locations across 20 states, Taiwan, and Canada and 10 stores under development. For more information, visit pokeworksfranchise.com, or follow Pokeworks on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok.

About Qu

Qu is evolving restaurant POS to create a truly connected restaurant experience for both guests and operators at quick-service and fast-casual restaurants. Our industry-leading, cloud-native Unified Commerce Platform fuses the ordering, operations, and guest engagement functions, delivering the real-time data needed to drive loyal, repeat guests. Based in Arlington, VA, Qu is backed by leading restaurant entrepreneurs and investors, including Cota Capital, Enlightened Hospitality Investments (EHI), Bobby Cox Companies, and NRD Capital. In 2024, Qu ranked #176 on Deloitte's Fast 500 Technology List for North America. Visit www.qubeyond.com.

SOURCE Qu