MAPIC: Tell us a little about I Love Poke
Michael Lewis/Rana Edwards: I Love Poke is a pioneer and the largest chain of healthy fast-casual food in Italy, with 170 stores. The chain specialises in custom-made poke bowls, tacos and salads highlighting fresh seasonal ingredients. The variable menu accommodates all dietary preferences and needs including gluten free, vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan, and so on. The business model of the company favours scalability.
I Love Poke Store Store
MAPIC: What are your plans for the next 12 months?
Michael Lewis/Rana Edwards: The goal for 2024 is to reach 190 stores and the company is currently expanding outside of the Italian territory in Spain and Cyprus and in the Middle East. The expansion is managed via new store openings, mergers and acquisitions of mini poke chains. We have executed two M&As in 2023 and 2024 for a total of 34 stores in Italy, as well as via the franchise model. Around 30% of the company’s stores are operated through franchise.
Michael Lewis & Rana Edwards
MAPIC: What are your plans for the next 12 months?
Michael Lewis/Rana Edwards: Our goals are to continue to implement and improve our ESG initiatives, maintaining a healthy growth of the company, proportional with economies of scale. We are looking to implement new technologies and AI driven software to improve the quality of data and efficiency, with a special focus on staff training to ensure that their progress in hard and soft skills directly reflects on the quality of work and overall service.
