Rios Poke to promote its franchise opportunity from December

Rios Poke is preparing a new promotional drive for its franchise programme in December 2026. Founded in Livorno in 2021, the brand now has seven locations across five Tuscan cities and aims to meet entrepreneurs interested in taking the concept into new areas. It has a clear candidate profile in mind: a hands-on franchisee willing to manage the outlet with support from the network.

The starting point: seven locations in Tuscany

According to a report published by Ristorazione Moderna on 26 October, Rios Poke began with its first outlet in Livorno. The brand now also operates in Florence, with locations in Novoli and Santa Maria Novella, and in Lucca, with outlets in Porta Elisa and Sant’Anna. Viareggio and Pistoia complete its current footprint.

This regional presence provides the foundation for the new franchise recruitment initiative. The December launch will focus on presenting the programme in greater detail and gathering expressions of interest; it is not an announcement of confirmed new openings.

The concept extends beyond bowls. The menu also includes sushi, bao, burritos and bubble tea. For anyone considering joining the network, this means managing a varied offering, combining food preparation with the organisation of service and day-to-day operations.

Looking for hands-on entrepreneurs

The clearest feature of the programme is its requirement for direct involvement. Rios Poke does not present the franchise as an option for passive investors, but as an opportunity for people who want to play an active part in running the restaurant.

The qualities it seeks include entrepreneurial drive, organisational skills and the ability to lead a team. Customer focus and knowledge of the area in which the candidate intends to operate are also important. Partner selection therefore depends not just on enthusiasm for the brand, but also on the skills needed to oversee staff, service and the running of the outlet.

Experience in the restaurant sector is considered useful, but it is not the only criterion. The brand also values a willingness to undertake training, work on the ground and follow a shared operating approach. For prospective franchisees, this is an important distinction: network support complements the franchisee’s own commitment rather than replacing it.

From application to getting the outlet ready

The process described by Rios begins with a discussion of the candidate’s motivations, skills and preferred territory. The assessment works both ways: only at a later stage do discussions explore the city, any potential premises, the format and the financial plan in greater depth.

This sequence separates the initial enquiry from the development of a specific outlet proposal. An expression of interest opens a dialogue, with operational and financial details examined subsequently alongside the candidate.

Before opening, the Rios team plans to support the partner with space planning and workflows, defining the outlet’s identity and preparing for operations. Training covers products, service and day-to-day organisation, using shared procedures and standards to make the team’s work clearer and easier to replicate.

These are the areas of support outlined in the programme. Prospective franchisees should explore them further during discussions, considering how they relate to the premises and the needs of the future team.

Discussions with candidates begin in December

The franchise programme also includes promotional initiatives and analysis of sales data and customer feedback. The stated aim is to help partners understand their outlet’s performance and build relationships with customers.

With the promotional drive beginning in December, Rios Poke intends to explain the programme in more detail and invite applications. Financial terms and the specific details of the franchise arrangement will be discussed directly with interested parties after the initial conversation. The announcement therefore focuses primarily on the partner profile and the support process, rather than setting out a standard investment figure applicable to every opening.

Practical guidance: prospective applicants can prepare an outline of their skills, their availability for hands-on management and their proposed territory. The next step is to clarify the financial plan, franchise terms and exact scope of support with the network.