POKEWORKS CONTINUES GLOBAL EXPANSION VIA MIDDLE EAST

New York-born and Hawaiian-inspired Pokeworks is expanding its reach into the Middle East and North Africa via a partnership with Talabat, a tech delivery platform owned by German Delivery Hero with a network of online food delivery companies worldwide.

In its first phase of expansion in the Middle East, Pokeworks expects to open 10 delivery-only locations in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain over the next three years, starting with Dubai in 2023.

“At Pokeworks, our goal is to bring our Poke Your Way experience to consumers everywhere,” Pokeworks CEO Steve Heeley said in a company press release. “That is why we have partnered with the largest online food ordering operator in the Middle East. Our plan is to enhance our brand’s online visibility and reach, while benefiting from Talabat’s robust technology and large logistics network. This new collaboration with Talabat will soon enable our fans to enjoy poke wherever they may be.”

Pokeworks has over 65 locations in the U.S. as well as locations in Taiwan and Mexico.

“We are thrilled to be Pokeworks’ preferred delivery partner as we expand their footprint in the Middle East,” Talabat’s Vice President of Kitchens Joseph Cherian said in the release. “This alliance reflects our commitment to bringing loved brands from across the region, and the world, closer to our customers. Our goal is to utilize our technology to offer both our partners and customers the same levels of ease, reliability and experience that is synonymous with Talabat.”

Since delivering its first order in Kuwait in 2004, Talabat has delivered hundreds of millions of food orders, grocery items and other products to customers in nine countries.