Uncle Sharkii, known for its authentic Poke bar offerings, has partnered with retail giant Walmart. This partnership will see Uncle Sharkii opening its Poke restaurants inside various Walmart stores.
The rollout will start in California, with plans to gradually extend to Walmart locations across the United States.
Sharkii is set to expand its presence, with ten new locations opening across California in the next five months. This initial expansion phase will precede a broader rollout of additional locations nationwide.
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Walmart Embraces Poke Restaurants: A New Era of In-Store Dining
Walmart has been gradually altering its in-store restaurant scene, phasing out almost all McDonald's outlets by mid-2021. The retail leader, known for experimenting with various food brands like Charley's Philly Steaks, Domino's, and Taco Bell, is now making a significant shift.
Fen Reyes, the Founder and CEO of Uncle Sharkii, expressed immense enthusiasm about the collaboration with Walmart. "My dream has been to bring the essence of the Sharkii Ohana to millions of families who shop at Walmart," said Reyes.
He views this partnership as crucial to fulfilling Uncle Sharkii's mission of making poke bowls widely accessible and affordable.
A fresh partnership focusing on poke bowls and traditional Hawaiian cuisine marks Walmart's latest move, delighting fans who are eager for these new dining options.
Sharkii has recently marked a significant milestone by opening three new locations within Walmart stores in Galt, Roseville, and Vacaville, California. Alongside these, Uncle Sharkii operates standalone restaurants in Hawaii, Texas, and Utah, with plans to expand into Arizona and Nevada.
In a recent press release, Uncle Sharkii's co-founder and COO, Raymond Reyes, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership with Walmart. Reyes shared his vision to bring the 'Spirit of Aloha' to the entire country, emphasizing the role of Walmart as a community hub in Hawaii, known for gathering locals, tourists, and families.
He reflected on his connection with Walmart, expressing his surprise and excitement about the collaboration. Reyes looks forward to a rewarding partnership with the retail giant.
Last fall, the first Uncle Sharkii restaurant opened inside a Walmart, celebrating with a grand opening weekend. Customers enjoyed special offers like buy-one-get-one-free poke bowls, boba teas, and merchandise giveaways.
The first customers also received a $5 Sharkii credit with their purchases, adding to the festive atmosphere of the launch.
Walmart and Uncle Sharkii: A Healthy Collaboration
Walmart's recent partnership with Uncle Sharkii signifies a bold and exciting retail and food industry move. This collaboration aligns with Walmart's commitment to offering varied and quality food choices, especially as customers increasingly seek healthier alternatives to traditional fast food.
In a discussion with QSR Magazine, Angelica Teague, Walmart's senior manager of retail services, emphasized the company's dedication to customer satisfaction.
"At Walmart, our goal is to meet our customers' needs by providing a diverse range of products and services at affordable prices," Teague stated. She expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with Uncle Sharkii Poke Bar, highlighting Walmart's eagerness to collaborate with local businesses to bring new, healthy dining options to its customers.
This partnership marks a significant shift in the fast-food landscape. While fast food remains a convenient choice for many, there's a growing trend towards healthier, less processed options. The move by Walmart to embrace such changes is a positive step towards offering customers better food choices.
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