How to Finance an Island Fin Poke Franchise: Poke Bowl Costs
By Chris Cornella
An Island Fin Poke franchise loan usually pays for a compact, fast-casual poke shop: a leased storefront, a cold-prep line built around raw fish, refrigeration that must hold safe temperatures all day and enough cash to carry the store until sales settle. Because the brand is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory, buyers can look at SBA 7(a) financing alongside conventional and equipment loans.
This article explains how the Island Fin Poke concept works, what a buyer should pull from the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) before talking to a lender, which loan programs fit a poke shop and how lenders judge a new or existing unit.
US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Island Fin Poke; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures in the franchisor’s disclosure document can change, loan programs vary, and every loan is subject to approval. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice; review the current FDD and franchise agreement with a franchise attorney and an accountant.
Island Fin Poke Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: a Florida-based fast-casual restaurant serving Hawaiian-style, build-your-own poke bowls with house-made sauces.
- Founded: 2017 in Central Florida by founder and CEO Mark Setterington, who developed the original recipes and sauces.
- Initial fee, royalty and marketing fund: not verified for this article; confirm them in Items 5 and 6 of the current FDD.
- Estimated initial investment: not verified for this article; use the Item 7 table in the current FDD as the basis for your loan request.
- Owner financial requirements: confirm net worth and liquidity minimums directly with the franchisor.
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed under code S3523 with no additional directory note.
What Is Island Fin Poke?
Island Fin Poke is a fast-casual poke concept that started in Central Florida and grew through franchising. Guests build bowls from a base, a protein, toppings and sauces. The company describes its sauces as homemade and gluten-free and lists proteins that include fresh tuna, salmon, shrimp and octopus, plus chicken, tofu and Spam for guests who prefer cooked or plant-based options.
The format is a counter-service shop with an assembly line facing the guest. There is little cooking compared with a burger or pizza restaurant, but the prep and storage of raw seafood makes refrigeration, food-safety procedures and supplier reliability central to the operation.
Why lenders look closely at poke. A small footprint and limited cooking can keep the build-out lighter than many restaurant formats, but seafood costs can move quickly and the category depends on repeat lunch and dinner traffic.
Island Fin Poke Franchise Costs
We could not verify the brand’s current fee and investment figures from the FDD or the franchisor’s own pages, so this section explains what each cost category covers and where to find the number. Your lender will ask for the Item 7 table, so request the current FDD early.
Initial franchise fee. Item 5 states the fee for a single shop, when it is due and whether any portion is refundable. It also states any reduced fee for additional shops under a multi-unit deal. The fee is a cash cost that an SBA 7(a) loan can usually include in the project budget.
Real estate and build-out. Most poke shops lease an end-cap or inline space in a shopping center. Build-out typically covers plumbing for hand sinks and prep sinks, electrical for refrigeration, flooring, the service counter, seating and finishes. The landlord’s tenant improvement allowance, if any, can reduce what you need to borrow.
Equipment and fixtures. Expect refrigerated prep tables, walk-in or reach-in coolers and freezers, a rice cooker setup, small cooking equipment for proteins that are served cooked, a dish station, point-of-sale hardware and signage.
Opening costs and working capital. Opening inventory, training travel, grand opening marketing, deposits, licenses and insurance all come before the first sale, along with the additional funds Item 7 lists for an initial operating period.
Total investment. Item 7 adds these categories into a low and high range. When you read it, check:
- The initial franchise fee and any development fee
- Leasehold improvements and construction
- Furniture, fixtures, refrigeration and kitchen equipment
- Signage, decor and point-of-sale technology
- Opening inventory and supplies
- Training expenses, licenses, permits and insurance
- Rent, security deposits and utility deposits
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Island Fin Poke Franchise Loan
Item 6 lists the royalty, any brand or marketing fund contribution, technology fees, local advertising requirements, transfer and renewal fees and other recurring charges. Most are calculated on gross sales, which means they come off the top before payroll, food cost and rent.
How lenders treat these fees. A lender builds a monthly cash-flow model, subtracts royalty and marketing fees, then checks whether what remains covers rent, labor, food cost and the proposed loan payment with a cushion. Seafood pricing adds a wrinkle: if fish costs rise, the margin left for debt service shrinks. Show your lender how menu pricing and portioning protect margin.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
We did not verify Island Fin Poke’s net worth or liquidity minimums, so ask the franchise development team for current requirements. Most restaurant franchisors look for:
- Enough liquid capital to cover the cash injection and reserves
- A net worth that supports the total project
- Restaurant, hospitality or people-management experience, or a plan to hire an experienced manager
- A commitment to complete the franchisor’s training before opening
Ways to Own an Island Fin Poke
A new shop. Opening from scratch means a lease, a full build-out and a sales ramp with no history. Lenders underwrite on projections, your experience and your equity. Our franchise start-up financing page explains how these loans are typically structured.
Buying an existing shop. A resale comes with real sales, a trained team and an open store. Lenders can underwrite historical cash flow, but the franchisor must approve the transfer and the landlord must consent to a lease assignment. Our article on buying a franchise resale covers the steps, and our page on financing a franchise restaurant acquisition explains how purchase loans are sized.
Multiple shops. Some buyers want rights to a small territory. A development agreement adds a development fee and an opening schedule, and each new shop needs its own financing.
Island Fin Poke Franchise Loan Options
SBA 7(a) loans. Because the brand is on the SBA Franchise Directory, an SBA 7(a) loan can fund the franchise fee, leasehold improvements, equipment, opening inventory and working capital in one loan, or the purchase price of an existing shop.
SBA 504 loans. The 504 program is built for owner-occupied real estate and long-lived equipment. A poke shop in leased space rarely needs it, but it can fit a buyer who purchases a small building and occupies it.
Conventional term loans. Borrowers with strong liquidity or existing restaurant cash flow may use a conventional business loan. Collateral and equity expectations vary by lender.
Equipment financing. Refrigerated prep tables, walk-in coolers, freezers, rice cookers, ice machines, dish equipment and point-of-sale terminals can be financed on their own. See our restaurant equipment financing and leasing page.
Working capital and lines of credit. Fresh seafood is bought often and in small quantities, so supplier payments run on a tight cycle. Pre-opening payroll, training and marketing also need cash before revenue starts. Our restaurant working capital options can help bridge these gaps.
Seller financing on resales. A seller may agree to carry a note for part of the price. Any seller note is typically subordinate to the senior loan, and SBA program rules may limit how it can be structured or counted toward your injection.
SBA Loans for Island Fin Poke Franchisees
SBA lenders check the SBA Franchise Directory before they lend to a franchisee. A listing means the brand’s franchise documents have been reviewed for SBA eligibility; it does not approve any borrower or guarantee a loan.
Island Fin Poke’s listing. The brand appears on the directory under code S3523, and the listing carries no special note. In plain English, there is no extra document or condition flagged by the directory for this brand beyond the standard SBA process. Your lender will still review the current franchise agreement and confirm the listing at application.
Loan size. The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, though program rules can change. A single poke shop will normally sit well below that level.
Application tips. Bring a complete package and realistic projections. Use our SBA loan calculator for early payment estimates; results are for planning only.
How Lenders Evaluate an Island Fin Poke Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Expect a review of credit, tax returns and past business debts, plus personal guarantees from significant owners.
Net worth and liquidity. A lender reviewing an Island Fin Poke franchise loan wants your equity injection to come from documented funds, with reserves left after closing. A poke shop with thin reserves can struggle if a cooler fails or fish costs spike.
Industry and management experience. Restaurant or food-safety experience helps; if you are new to food service, explain who will run daily operations.
Business plan and projections. Model lunch and dinner traffic, average ticket, food cost on seafood proteins, labor scheduling and a realistic ramp-up. Show delivery and online-ordering assumptions separately so a lender can see their fees.
The FDD and franchise agreement. Lenders read Items 5, 6, 7 and 21 closely, plus Item 17 for term, renewal and transfer rights and Item 10 for any franchisor financing. Our article on how lenders read a Franchise Disclosure Document walks through each item. Item 19 tells you whether the FDD includes financial performance representations; ask your lender how it will use that information.
Site and lease. Lenders review rent, the lease term against the loan term, renewal options, exclusives and the landlord’s improvement allowance.
Historical financials for resales. For an existing shop, expect to provide two to three years of profit and loss statements, sales reports and tax returns.
Cold Line and Food-Safety Equipment
The heart of a poke shop is the cold line. Refrigerated rails must hold fish and toppings at safe temperatures through peak periods, and backup storage must keep inventory stable overnight.
Refrigeration is also the asset most likely to fail at a bad moment, so keep a repair reserve. When you buy an existing shop, have the cooling equipment inspected and factor any near-term replacements into the price or the loan.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development Agreements
A second shop is easier to finance once the first has a track record. Lenders combine the cash flow from your open unit with projections for the new one and look at total debt across the group.
If you sign a development agreement, match each opening date with a financing plan and leave room for permitting delays. Our article on multi-unit franchise financing explains how operators fund growth one shop at a time.
Real-World Scenarios
A first-time owner opening a new shop. A former retail manager signs for a suburban shop and uses an SBA 7(a) loan for the build-out, equipment, fee and working capital, keeping a reserve for the early months.
An operator buying a resale. A buyer with restaurant experience purchases an open shop from a franchisee who is relocating. The lender underwrites the shop’s actual sales and margins, and the franchisor approves the transfer.
A couple adding a second unit. After steady results at their first shop, owners apply for a second loan, and the lender reviews combined cash flow and a staffing plan.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying for a loan before reading the full Item 7 table and Item 6 fee list
- Underestimating food-cost swings on seafood when building projections
- Signing a lease before the lender reviews the term and assignment terms
- Borrowing every dollar of the budget and leaving no reserve for slow months
- Buying a resale without inspecting refrigeration and reviewing its history
For more pitfalls across the industry, read the restaurant loan mistakes owners make most often.
Next Steps to Finance Your Island Fin Poke Franchise
Step 1: Request the current FDD. Get the latest disclosure document and focus on Items 5, 6, 7, 10, 17, 19 and 21.
Step 2: Confirm the franchisor’s owner requirements. Ask about net worth, liquidity and experience expectations, and confirm territory availability.
Step 3: Gather your financial documents. Assemble tax returns, bank statements and a personal financial statement.
Step 4: Build a budget for your site. Collect contractor and equipment quotes and compare them with Item 7.
Step 5: Write projections. Model sales ramp, food cost, labor, rent, royalties and debt service.
Step 6: Talk with a financing specialist. Discuss your Island Fin Poke franchise loan options, including SBA 7(a), conventional and equipment financing, before you sign a lease.
Step 7: Close and open. Coordinate loan closing with franchise approval, lease signing and the construction schedule.
Island Fin Poke Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does it cost to open an Island Fin Poke?
The total investment is disclosed in Item 7 of the current FDD and depends on the site, its condition and local construction costs. Request the latest disclosure document and get quotes for your location.
What is the Island Fin Poke franchise fee?
The initial franchise fee appears in Item 5 of the current FDD. We could not verify the current amount for this article.
What royalty does Island Fin Poke charge?
Royalty and marketing contributions are listed in Item 6. Use them in your cash-flow model, because they are paid before debt service.
Can I get an SBA loan for an Island Fin Poke?
Yes, if you qualify. The brand is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S3523, so SBA lenders can consider an Island Fin Poke franchise loan application.
Can I buy an existing Island Fin Poke?
Yes, if a franchisee is selling and the franchisor approves the transfer. Lenders can underwrite the shop’s actual results, which often helps the request.
Can I finance the equipment separately?
Yes. Refrigeration, prep tables, rice cookers and point-of-sale systems can be financed through equipment loans or leases.
How much liquid capital do I need?
Ask the franchisor for its current minimums. Lenders also expect a documented equity injection and reserves after closing.
What documents do I need for a loan?
Typically a personal financial statement, tax returns, a resume, the FDD, the franchise agreement, a lease or letter of intent, quotes and projections.
Does Island Fin Poke offer financing?
Check Item 10 of the current FDD, which discloses any financing the franchisor offers or arranges.
How long is the franchise term?
Item 17 and the franchise agreement state the initial term and renewal conditions. Lenders compare the term with the loan length and lease length.
Final Thoughts
An Island Fin Poke shop is a focused restaurant with a strong dependence on fresh seafood, cold storage and repeat customers. Buyers who read the FDD carefully, budget for their actual site, protect food-cost margins and keep reserves give lenders the clearest picture of a sound deal.
US Professional Funding helps franchise buyers and owners finance startups, acquisitions, equipment and working capital. Learn more about our franchise financing solutions and restaurant business loans.
