Kansas City-based franchise Hawaiian Bros Island Grill has announced plans to expand to North Carolina, according to a release. The brand inked a 34-unit franchise deal with Nashville-based franchise group MRCO that will also encompass West Central Georgia and North Alabama.
Hawaiian Bros has a strong presence in the Midwest but has not ventured far into the Southeast yet, with just one location open in Hixson, Tenn. Over the next five years, the MRCO team plans to open their forthcoming Hawaiian Bros restaurants across key markets in the Southeast. 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.
“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.’”
What Now Charlotte has reached out for more information on exact locations and opening timelines.
Farzin Ferdowsi and Homey Aminmadani launched MRCO decades ago. Now helmed by second-generation partners Amin Ferdowsi, Imaan Ferdowsi, Shareef Aminmadani and Shabnam Aminmadani, it has more than 45 years of franchise experience and operates nearly 90 Taco Bell locations in the Southeast.
Founded in 2018, Hawaiian Bros owns and operates 70 restaurants in 12 states across America. It focuses on spreading the Aloha spirit, and its menu features items like Huli Huli Chicken, Molokai Chicken, Luau Pig and Pacific Island Salad.
“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 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.”
