- Describe your organization – how long has it been in operation? When did Hawaiian Bros start franchising? How many franchisees does Hawaiian Bros currently have?
Hawaiian Bros is an emerging fast-casual drive-thru concept with stellar customer ratings and a rapid growth plan. We began franchising in 2022, and we currently have 12 franchisees in our network. We are known for offering a simple, craveable menu that centers on the island-inspired plate lunch, which gives us a unique edge in the QSR space. At Hawaiian Bros, we pride ourselves on incredibly fast speeds, averaging a serving time of 30 seconds or less at the pick-up window.
Over the last year, we’ve embarked on a tactical franchise growth strategy targeting key areas of the U.S.–including the Midwest, mountain states, and the Southeast. We are committed to growing intentionally with multi-unit franchisees and experienced operators ready to diversify their portfolios with a unique concept, backed by strong unit economics and a leadership team with proven experience in successfully scaling restaurant brands.
- What is your main product/service?
The concept of Hawaiian Bros is inspired by the Hawaiian plate lunch–a simple, comforting meal built around grilled proteins, rice, and macaroni salad. Our menu is intentionally focused, and everything is prepared fresh in-house daily, with no freezers, fryers, or microwaves. Beyond the food, we’re known for speed and welcoming hospitality. Many guests experience Hawaiian Bros through our drive-thru, where service is fast, friendly, and efficient, averaging 30 seconds or less. At the heart of everything we do is the Aloha Spirit — a community of kindness, warmth, and respect that shapes how we treat our guests, our teams, and the communities we serve.
- What type of person would ‘fit’ the Hawaiian Bros franchisee profile?
Aside from possessing values rooted in community, quality food and customer service, we look for franchisees who also have a history of owning other franchise and restaurant concepts with at least 10 years of ownership experience. Due to our distinct business model and minimal category competition, Hawaiian Bros appeals to entrepreneurs who own other restaurant brands and are eager to diversify their portfolio.
- Where are the current Hawaiian Bros locations/territories? Where are locations/territories available?
Currently, there are more than 70 Hawaiian Bros restaurants operating across 14 states, including Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas and our home state of Kansas. We’re focusing our growth in primary markets across the Midwest, Southeast and Mountain states, with a healthy development pipeline of 300 additional restaurant locations. In just the past few months, we’ve announced several new agreements with multi-unit franchisees that will bring a total of 40 Hawaiian Bros restaurants to markets across North Carolina, West Central Georgia, Northern Alabama, Kentucky and Nevada in the coming years.
- Why is there a need for this product/service? How is Hawaiian Bros different to your competition?
As it relates to our food, Hawaiian Bros upholds a commitment to quality ingredients and a simple menu, which means using fresh food. We have no freezers, fryers or microwaves on site, and our unique offerings and clear brand purpose create a major differentiator for guests and restaurant operators alike. In addition to our culinary edge, Hawaiian Bros has mastered the art of blending quality and convenience for guests with products and packaging thoughtfully designed to accommodate delivery and takeout. The aspect of off-premise dining is important to us, as many of our locations generate over 80% of sales through drive-thru and delivery. Finally, the Aloha Spirit is a core part of who we are. Guests feel the hospitality, warmth and positivity when they visit, and that emotional connection keeps them coming back.
- How does Hawaiian Bros look after your franchisees? (e.g. what support/training/back up do you offer)
We offer an incredibly robust franchisee support program, starting with hands-on guidance through real estate, site selection, design, construction and operational planning. Our National Restaurant Opening team provides consistent, high-quality training for every new location to ensure new teams are fully prepared on day one. Once their initial restaurants are open, franchisees receive ongoing operational support, performance insights and marketing guidance. We invest heavily in centralized brand strategy, creative development, and media planning, while also equipping franchisees with localized assets and guidance. That includes pre-approved, turnkey campaign toolkits that can be customized to reflect local opportunities. We’re constantly sharing best practices and helping operators identify opportunities to optimize their restaurants. We want franchisees focused on operations and community engagement, and not having to invent marketing tactics from scratch.
- Plans for new systems/concepts in 2026?
In 2026, our goal is to add more than 250 units to our already-impressive development pipeline. When it comes to openings, we are positioned for another exciting year with 25+ new restaurants slated to debut in 2026 in areas across Kentucky, Nevada, northern Alabama and the Greater Atlanta area. Our current expansion strategy also focuses on drive-thru-forward restaurant formats, in-line and endcap conversions, and select ghost kitchen models, offering franchisees flexibility and efficiency across diverse sites and markets.
- Where do you see Hawaiian Bros as a franchise in the next five years?
In the next five years, we’ll continue prioritizing markets where we can cluster development and scale strategically with the right operators. Several of our franchise groups are planning to open five or more restaurants a year, which will accelerate our presence in key regions. Our focus remains on sustainable expansion, partnering with the best restaurant operators, delivering great food fast and continuing to spread the Aloha Spirit in every community we enter.
- What is your advice for those exploring franchise opportunities?
My advice to prospective franchisees is to choose a concept with momentum, purpose, and long-term vision – not just a big brand name. When evaluating a new franchise opportunity, ensure that the franchisee support system is strong, offering comprehensive support from day one and ongoing guidance with advanced technology and industry expert input. From my experience, the Hawaiian Bros franchise opportunity resonates with rising entrepreneurs who are seeking an opportunity to grow alongside a young, flourishing brand that complements their existing portfolio.
- How do you motivate your franchisees?
Communication and collaboration are key. At Hawaiian Bros, we work to ensure that there are multiple opportunities for franchisees to share their ideas, learn from one another, and celebrate wins together. We strive to create a motivational community by highlighting success stories, recognizing innovation, and reinforcing that everyone is part of one brand, moving in the same direction.
