June 15, 2026 // Franchising.com // LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Hawaiian Bros Island Grill, the fast-growing, island-inspired brand known for its Hawaiian plate lunch, has announced the continued growth of its franchise footprint through an eight-unit development deal for the greater Louisville market with an experienced restaurant franchise operator group.
The Louisville development is led by an experienced operator group that brings more than 20 years of restaurant operations experience running other brands in the Louisville market, along with deep development expertise that will be instrumental in growing the brand across the region. Backed by strong operational expertise and a shared commitment to Hawaiian Bros’ values, this new development agreement reflects the group’s confidence in the brand and business model.
The agreement follows recent Hawaiian Bros franchise deals in Kentucky for the Lexington and Bowling Green markets, marking another milestone in Hawaiian Bros’ growth throughout the Southeast.
“We’re thrilled to be entering Kentucky with talented operator groups who will grow the brand to key regions with strong population densities,” said Shannon Scott, Chief Marketing Officer at Hawaiian Bros. “The franchise group behind this development possesses fantastic operations experience and the know-how to build strong teams, which will help drive restaurant performance and establish guest loyalty. With its vibrant business community and dynamic restaurant scene, Louisville is a natural fit for our brand’s Aloha spirit.”
The Hawaiian Bros franchise opportunity is designed for seasoned operators with significant infrastructure in place to develop and operate multiple locations. The brand’s ideal franchisees are established multi-unit owners with at least 10 years of experience operating restaurant brands. Hawaiian Bros consistently attracts groups eager to diversify their portfolios and join a unique, fast-growing, high-demand concept.
Hawaiian Bros is known for its island-inspired plate lunch, which offers a variety of juicy chicken or pork glazed with sweet, savory or spicy sauces, macaroni salad, fluffy steamed white rice, vegetables and tropical Dole Soft Serve®. With a commitment to avoiding fryers, microwaves and freezers, all menu items are prepared fresh in house with high-quality ingredients. The brand welcomes every guest with a friendly “Aloha” and remains dedicated to causes tied to Hawaiian culture and sustainability.
For more information about franchising with Hawaiian Bros, visit hawaiianbros.com/franchising.
At Hawaiian Bros, we’re inspired every day to share the Aloha Spirit. It shapes how we work, connect, and grow together. Our core values of Mutual Respect, Harmony, Gratitude, Integrity, Innovation, and Fun guide how we show up for one another, our guests, and the communities we serve. We believe in doing what is right, showing appreciation often, and bringing curiosity, creativity, and joy to everything we do. Together, we create memorable experiences that invite guests to return and to share the Aloha Spirit with others. Hawaiian Bros owns and operates more than 75 restaurants serving the Aloha Spirit in 14 states across America.
Hawaiian Bros has earned a variety of prestigious awards since its founding in 2018, including a number one spot on Ingram's Corporate Report of the Top 100 fastest-growing companies and the number seven spot on QSR Magazine's 40/40 List of America's Hottest Startup Fast Casuals. Hawaiian Bros has been named QSR Best Brands to Work For and is a multi-year Fast Casual Top 100 Movers & Shakers winner. For more information, visit www.hawaiianbros.com.
SOURCE Hawaiian Bros
An island-inspired fast-casual franchise rooted in the Aloha Spirit—delivering craveable plate lunches, simple operations, and strong unit economics for scalable, multi-unit growth.