This week, news broke that Hawaiian Bros Island Grill, “the fast-growing, island-inspired restaurant concept known for its Hawaiian plate lunches and Aloha Spirit,” has signed a 52-location deal with Southern Rock Restaurants that will bring the brand to markets across the Sunshine State, including Jacksonville, Gainesville, Orlando, and Tampa.
Heading up Southern Rock Restaurants is CEO Max Piet, who brings 35 years of industry experience to the project—along with a team that already runs nearly 200 franchised restaurants, including McAlister’s Deli and Dave’s Hot Chicken.
“Hawaiian Bros is a rapidly growing brand built around a simple, proven model, strong culture, and commitment to exceptional hospitality. We see tremendous opportunity for it in these outstanding Florida markets,” Piet said in a press release. “I’m especially excited to introduce Hawaiian Bros to areas I know and love. This is an important new chapter for Southern Rock, and we look forward to growing the Hawaiian Bros brand with a sharp focus on great teams and strong leadership.”
Offering a straightforward menu, Hawaiian Bros’ plate lunches feature “juicy chicken or pork glazed with sweet, savory, or spicy sauces, paired with fluffy steamed white rice and macaroni salad or vegetables, all of which are prepared in-house,” says the press release. The brand’s network now comprises more than 80 locations in 14 states, with another 350 currently under development.
“Entering Florida is a highly anticipated milestone for Hawaiian Bros, and we couldn’t ask for a more experienced group to help establish our presence in the state,” Grant Kreutzer, Senior Vice President of Franchise Development at Hawaiian Bros, said in the press release. “Max knows these Florida markets extremely well, and Southern Rock has an impressive track record of building and operating successful multi-unit restaurant businesses at scale. Their strong infrastructure makes them exactly the kind of operator we want growing alongside Hawaiian Bros.”
The specific Tampa-market locales where Hawaiian Bros will be making its area debut have yet to be announced.
You can keep up with all things Hawaiian Bros Island Grill by following @hawaiianbros on Instagram.
