Koibito Poke opens 10th location in Edwardsville, Illinois

By AI, Created 5:05 PM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – Koibito Poke opened its 10th location in Edwardsville, Illinois, marking its first entry into the Metro East community and a new step in the brand’s national expansion. The restaurant had a soft opening April 30 and will hold a grand opening celebration June 26-28.

Why it matters: - Koibito Poke’s Edwardsville debut extends the Arizona-born fast-casual chain into the Metro East market near St. Louis. - The opening gives the brand its 10th location, a notable scale marker for a concept still in growth mode. - The franchise adds another data point for consumer demand around customizable, healthier fast-casual meals.

What happened: - Koibito Poke opened a location in Edwardsville, Illinois, as the chain’s 10th restaurant. - The Edwardsville store had a soft opening on April 30, 2026. - Koibito Poke will hold a grand opening celebration June 26-28, 2026. - The Edwardsville restaurant is the brand’s first location in the Metro East community. - The store is a franchise co-owned by Kyle Wieter and Matt Schmitt.

The details: - The Edwardsville location is 1,400 square feet. - The restaurant has 22 seats. - The store uses Koibito Poke’s open-visibility design, which lets guests see the menu and ingredients prepared throughout the day. - Guests can build custom poke bowls with sushi-grade salmon and tuna, chicken, tofu, bases, toppings and nine house-made sauces. - The menu also includes Signature Bowls for customers who want a set option. - Koibito Poke says the concept is built around fresh ingredients, bold flavors, hospitality and an elevated guest experience. - Koibito Poke says the brand is influenced by traditional Japanese flavors and designed to fit a modern, welcoming environment. - For more information on the Edwardsville location, visit the location page.

Between the lines: - Todd Stottlemyre, co-founder and CEO, framed the Edwardsville opening as part of the company’s push into community-driven markets across the country. - The brand’s pitch centers on a simple tradeoff: convenience without giving up quality, flavor or nutrition. - The “Koibito” name comes from the Japanese word for “love,” a theme the company uses to reinforce its food-and-wellness positioning. - The franchise model suggests Koibito Poke is leaning on local operators to speed expansion while preserving a neighborhood feel.

What’s next: - Koibito Poke will host its Edwardsville grand opening June 26-28, 2026. - The company says it will continue expanding nationwide through its franchising program and regional developer model. - Koibito Poke also lists franchise contact information for operators interested in future growth.

The bottom line: - Edwardsville is a small but clear sign that Koibito Poke is pushing beyond its Arizona roots and into new regional markets with a franchise-led strategy.