Island Fin Poke Launch Academy
Overview
Mobile-first, gamified launch journey that guides every Island Fin Poke franchise through prep, training, and go-live with brand consistency and real-time readiness signals.
Challenge
The franchise launch gap
Island Fin Poke was opening up to eight new locations a quarter but still relied on PDFs, phone calls, and ad hoc coaching to get owners ready. Less than 40% of franchisees completed the legacy program and many stores opened without delivering the hospitality the brand promised. Field coaches spent more time chasing check-ins than mentoring, and corporate leaders had no objective way to see when a location needed more support.
The brand needed a launch experience that met owners where they are, stayed lightweight enough for busy teams, and generated the readiness signals headquarters wanted to see. It also needed to celebrate the scrappy, friendly culture Island Fin Poke is known for.
Solution
A gamified, by-the-day launch journey
We rebuilt onboarding as a mobile-first, narrative-driven playbook. Franchisees unlock daily missions that lead them through prep, train, and launch, collecting badges tied to food safety, hospitality, and operational milestones. Scenario-based Storyline and Vyond clips let owners rehearse customer interactions while still in the store.
A live dashboard shows corporate exactly how each franchise is progressing, while automated nudges and cohort prompts keep the group moving in sync. Owners trade tips inside the platform, standout stores are spotlighted, and the operations team can focus on mentoring instead of manual follow-ups. Launch readiness became something everyone could see—and celebrate.
Results
"Owners stayed engaged through the entire launch window and arrived prepared to serve guests on day one. The playbook made it easy to protect our brand and still improve every market’s performance."— Morgan Ellis, VP Operations, Island Fin Poke