Pokeworks Franchisees Expand Austin Restaurant Footprint
Carol and Marcos Blanco are set to add a seventh location to their fast-casual poke chain portfolio in the Austin market.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Local franchisees Carol and Marcos Blanco have announced plans to expand their Pokeworks footprint to seven total restaurants in Austin. The team currently operates six locations across the city as part of their broader portfolio.
Why it matters
The expansion strategy relies on securing second-generation restaurant spaces to increase operational efficiency. By leveraging existing infrastructure, the franchisees are able to accelerate their path to opening new locations.
The franchise owners are expanding from their current count of six active Pokeworks locations to seven total sites. The brand model supports this growth by eliminating the need for kitchen hoods, simplifying overall kitchen requirements.
The players
Carol Blanco
Carol Blanco is a Pokeworks franchisee who manages a portfolio of fast-casual restaurants in the Austin area.
Marcos Blanco
Marcos Blanco is a Pokeworks franchisee currently expanding his brand presence through the acquisition of second-generation restaurant spaces.
Pokeworks
Pokeworks is a national fast-casual restaurant chain specializing in poke bowls and operating out of its corporate headquarters in Irvine, Calif.
The details
The Pokeworks restaurant model does not require traditional kitchen hoods, which allows the franchisees to adapt to diverse real estate footprints. Carol and Marcos Blanco prioritize high-quality real estate to sustain their rapid growth throughout the Austin market.
Timeline
The seventh restaurant location is scheduled to open by the end of 2026.
Market Landscape
The expansion follows the second-generation restaurant conversion trend, which prioritizes existing infrastructure over new construction for retail growth. This strategy allows the franchisees to maintain a competitive pace in a crowded fast-casual dining market.
Local diners can expect increased accessibility to the brand as the franchisees add another location to the Austin market by the end of 2026. This expansion continues the growth of available quick-service healthy dining options in the community.
The takeaway
Utilizing second-generation spaces can be an effective way to scale a small business without the high costs of building a kitchen from scratch. Entrepreneurs looking to expand their own portfolios should consider how equipment-free layouts can simplify their search for viable locations.
Further reading
For more on new food and beverage developments in the region, check out our Austin Openings & Closings section.
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Do you trust the growth of national fast-casual chains to improve dining options in your area?
