Kansas City-based franchise Hawaiian Bros Island Grill has announced plans to expand to West Central Georgia, according to a release. The expansion is part of a larger 34-unit franchise deal with Nashville-based franchise group MRCO that will also encompass North Carolina and North Alabama.
The brand has a strong presence in the Midwest but has not ventured far into the Southeast yet, with just one location open in Hixson, Tenn. This franchise agreement is poised to change that as the MRCO team plans to open the forthcoming Hawaiian Bros restaurants during the next five years. They hope to open the first restaurant in Q1 of 2026, though it is unclear which region they will target first. The team expects to open multiple locations next year.
“We are thrilled to be joining the Hawaiian Bros family and increasing the brand’s presence in fantastic Southeast markets where we know the region. Our entire organization is ecstatic, and many are ready to grow their careers even further with us because of this fresh expansion within our organization,” Amin Ferdowsi, partner at MRCO, said in the release. “The craveability of the island-inspired menu and community-forward culture of Hawaiian Bros is what drew us to the brand. We can’t wait to share the Hawaiian Bros experience with more communities across the Southeast in the coming years.”
What Now Atlanta has reached out for more information on exact locations and opening timelines.
Hawaiian Bros was founded in 2018. Currently, Hawaiian Bros owns and operates 70 restaurants in 12 states across the U.S. It bases the brand around spreading the Aloha spirit, and its menu features items like Huli Huli Chicken, Molokai Chicken, Luau Pig and Pacific Island Salad.
MRCO is not new to the quick-service restaurant scene. Amin Ferdowsi, Imaan Ferdowsi, Shareef Aminmadani and Shabnam Aminmadani helm the company, which has been in restaurant franchising for more than 45 years and operates nearly 90 Taco Bell locations in the Southeast.
“The expertise they possess and passion they hold for our brand make MRCO an ideal franchisee,” Carey Malloy, chief development officer at Hawaiian Bros, said in the release. “Growing in the Southeast is a huge milestone for our brand and supports our goal to develop in several key markets across the United States. With years of experience under their belt, the team at MRCO is the perfect group to expand Hawaiian Bros in Alabama, Georgia and North Carolina. They have big plans for the greater Southeast region and we’re lucky to have them as a part of our ‘ohana.’”
