Knoxville’s foodies are lined up to celebrate the grand opening of Pokéworks, the nation’s leading healthy, fast-casual poke restaurant. The new spot at 4447 Kingston Pike, officially debuted on March 18 with a fresh take on Hawaiian-inspired poke bowls and burritos with a convenient and customizable menu.
To celebrate the grand opening, local entrepreneurs April and Shawn Comerford will offer a taste of the islands with a special all-day buy one, get one free deal on Saturday, April 13, from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. In addition to exclusive giveaways and prizes, the first 50 guests in line will enjoy a coveted Pokéworks branded coconut.
Knoxville residents and married couple, April and Shawn Comerford, both turned 50 last year and decided they want to spend the rest of their lives doing something they’re both passionate about. Having a combined 40 years in management, April working in hospitality and Shawn in the healthcare industry, the Comerfords were eager to do something they’ve always wanted to do – open their own business. The Comerfords landed on the poke concept after April first discovered the healthy and delicious food option while visiting her niece in Florida. With nothing else like it in Knoxville, they knew this would be the perfect business to bring to the area.
Inspired by sustainable, seasonal and natural ingredients, Pokéworks believes in the importance of meeting today’s needs while preserving our oceans. Guests of all dietary restrictions, including those maintaining gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan, as well as cooked or raw protein diets can enjoy a build their own poke bowls, burritos or salads by selecting a base protein – tuna, salmon, chicken, shrimp, scallops and tofu, unique regional mix-ins, flavoring sauces, toppings and crunchy texture.
“Poke lovers in Knoxville will quickly come to find that Pokéworks is substantially different than your typical fast-casual restaurant, said Shawn. “Our genuinely fresh ingredients, responsibly sourced seafood and chef-curated sauces, paired with the unique demographic of the Knoxville community makes Pokéworks the destination for fresh, fast and reliable food.”
Founded in 2015 with its first store in Midtown Manhattan, Pokéworks is building on momentum largely fueled by its millennial relevance and deep-rooted commitment to sustainability efforts as seen through its certified reclaimed wood building material. With restaurants in California, New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington, Connecticut, Illinois and Texas, Pokéworks has carved out a unique niche in the industry with over 30 locations open and more than 100 locations projected to open by end of 2020.
Pokéworks of Knoxville is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. For more information on Pokéworks of Knoxville, visit www.pokeworks.com .
Founded in 2015, Pokéworks is one the nation’s largest and fastest growing poke brands in North America with over 35 locations open and more than 100 projected to open by 2020. The brand provides a fresh take on Hawaiian-inspired poke burritos and bowls, using the highest quality of responsibly-sourced ingredients. Its chef-driven menu allows for complete customization that caters to almost anyone including those maintaining gluten-free, nut-free, vegetarian, vegan as well as cooked or raw protein diets. For more information about the franchise opportunity, visit www.pokeworks.com franchise.
