Koibito Poke opens first Illinois restaurant in Edwardsville

By AI, Created 4:50 PM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – Koibito Poke opened its first Illinois location in Edwardsville, expanding the Arizona-born fast-casual chain into the Metro East on April 30, 2026, with a grand opening set for June 26-28. The new franchise is the brand’s 10th restaurant and marks its first step into the greater St. Louis area’s Illinois side.

Why it matters: - Koibito Poke’s Edwardsville debut extends the brand into Illinois for the first time. - The opening gives the Metro East another fast-casual option focused on fresh, customizable poke bowls. - The location adds to Koibito Poke’s national franchise growth as the chain reaches 10 restaurants.

What happened: - Koibito Poke opened a franchise at 2329 Plum Street in Edwardsville, Illinois. - The restaurant held a soft opening on April 30, 2026. - The official grand opening celebration is scheduled for June 26-28, 2026. - The Edwardsville restaurant is Koibito Poke’s first location in the Metro East. - The opening is the brand’s first expansion into Illinois.

The details: - The Edwardsville restaurant is co-owned by Kyle Wieter and Matt Schmitt. - Wieter is a Metro East entrepreneur with a focus on health, wellness and community engagement. - Schmitt brings more than 30 years of restaurant operations experience. - Schmitt’s background includes work with Texas Roadhouse and Applebee’s. - The restaurant spans 1,400 square feet. - The dining room has 22 seats. - The store uses an open-visibility design that lets guests see menu items and fresh ingredients prepared throughout the day. - The menu includes sushi-grade salmon and tuna, chicken, tofu, bases, toppings and nine house-made sauces. - Guests can build custom poke bowls or choose from Signature Bowls. - Koibito Poke was founded in 2018 and is influenced by Hawaiian and Japanese flavors and ingredients. - The brand is co-founded by former MLB pitcher and three-time World Series Champion Todd Stottlemyre.

Between the lines: - The company is using local ownership and experienced restaurant operators to support expansion into new markets. - The Edwardsville location is designed to sell more than convenience food; it is built around transparency, fresh preparation and a health-focused identity. - The opening also signals continued demand for fast-casual concepts that combine customization with wellness positioning.

What’s next: - Koibito Poke will announce grand opening festivities, promotions, giveaways and special offers in the coming weeks. - The brand continues to expand nationwide through its franchise model. - More information is available on the Edwardsville location page, the company website, and the franchise page.