America’s Leading Healthy Fast Casual Poké Concept Makes Its Metro-East Debut
EDWARDSVILLE, IL, UNITED STATES, May 20, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Koibito Poke®, the Arizona-born fresh fast casual concept known for its vibrant build-your-own Hawaiian poke bowls, announced the opening of its first
Metro East location at 2329 Plum Street in Edwardsville, the tenth in the rapidly growing franchise chain. The restaurant, which held a soft opening on April 30, 2026, will host its official grand opening celebration June 26-28, 2026. With an established presence in the greater St. Louis market, Edwardsville marks Koibito Poke’s first expansion into the Metro East community and another milestone in the brand’s continued national growth.
The Edwardsville location is a franchise co-owned by Kyle Wieter, a Metro East entrepreneur whose passion for health, wellness, and community engagement makes him a natural fit for the brand. His partner, Matt Schmitt, brings more than 30 years of restaurant operations experience across national brands including Texas Roadhouse and Applebee’s. Together, they bring a combination of local community connection, hospitality leadership, and operational excellence to the Edwardsville market.
“KOIBITO” is the Japanese word for “LOVE”, and it has a dual meaning for the concept; love the food and love your body. Founded on the belief that people should not have to choose between convenience and food they can feel good about eating, Koibito Poke has built a loyal following around fresh ingredients, bold flavors, hospitality, and an elevated guest experience. Influenced by traditional Japanese flavors, the concept combines clean eating with a modern, welcoming environment designed to fit the way people want to live today.
“Edwardsville represents an important step in Koibito Poke’s growth as we continue expanding into strong community-driven markets across the country,” says Todd Stottlemyre, Co-Founder and CEO of Koibito Poke®, former MLB pitcher, three-time World Series Champion, and bestselling author. “Koibito Poke was built around fresh food, genuine hospitality, and creating an experience that supports the way people want to live. We believe people should not have to sacrifice quality, flavor, or nutrition for convenience. Kyle and Matt bring the leadership, operational strength, and community connection needed to build something truly special in this market.”
ABOUT THE RESTAURANT
The 1,400 square-foot Edwardsville location features 22 seats and showcases the brand’s signature open-visibility design, giving guests a clear view of the menu and fresh ingredients prepared throughout the day. From vibrant proteins and toppings to house-made sauces and carefully prepared ingredients, every aspect of the restaurant is designed to reinforce Koibito Poke’s commitment to transparency, hospitality, and quality. Guests can build their own custom poke bowl from a selection that includes sushi-grade salmon and tuna, chicken and tofu, bases, toppings, and nine unique house-made sauces. For those who prefer a curated experience, the menu also features a selection of Signature Bowls crafted to deliver bold flavor combinations while supporting a fresh, active lifestyle. Designed to feel modern, approachable, and community-oriented, the Edwardsville restaurant reflects the brand’s broader mission of bringing people together around food that tastes good and makes them feel good too.
GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION — JUNE 26-28, 2026
The community is invited to celebrate the grand opening weekend at 2329 Plum Street in Edwardsville on June 26th, 27th and the 28th. Additional details regarding grand opening festivities, promotions, giveaways, and special offers will be announced in the coming weeks.
For more information on this location visit https://koibitopoke.com/locations/illinois-edwardsville/.
ABOUT KOIBITO POKE®
Founded in 2018, Koibito Poke® is a fresh fast casual restaurant concept influenced by traditional Hawaiian and Japanese flavors and ingredients. Koibito, meaning “loved one” in Japanese, was founded on the belief that guests deserve food that loves them back: fresh, clean whole foods that nourish the body and satisfy the palate. Co-founded by former MLB pitcher and three-time World Series Champion Todd Stottlemyre, the brand continues expanding
nationwide through its commitment to hospitality, operational excellence, quality ingredients, and community connection. At its core, Koibito Poke believes in serving Reel Food. Real People.
For more information visit https://koibitopoke.com/ or contact Rebecca Church at rebecca@koibitopoke.com.
ABOUT KOIBITO POKE® FRANCHISING
The concept is expanding with franchises across the country featuring the regional developer model. For more information, visit https://koibitopoke.com/franchise/
Rebecca Church
Koibito Poke
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