L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, the largest Hawai‘i-based restaurant chain, continues nationwide expansion reflecting steady demand for hearty island comfort food and the continued strength of the brand’s community-centered franchise system. The company closed 2025 with 14 new franchise locations across eight states. Throughout the year, L&L expanded across multiple regions, introducing Hawaii’s Plate Lunch to new audiences while strengthening its presence in established markets. On the East Coast, new restaurants opened in East Harlem and Brooklyn, New York, as well as Smyrna and Mulberry, Georgia. On the West Coast, the brand opened locations in Escondido, Benicia, Clairemont Mesa and Davis, California. In the South, Texas welcomed a new restaurant in Fort Hood, while the brand entered a new Southwest market with locations in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho, New Mexico. The Pacific Northwest expanded with Tacoma, Washington and Idaho celebrated its first L&L in Nampa. In Hawai‘i, L&L continued its local legacy with a new Makiki location in Honolulu. Together, these 14 openings extended L&L’s reach into more communities, supporting the brand’s mission of sharing Hawaii’s Plate Lunch with consistency, care and cultural integrity. “Our success has always started with our franchisees,” said Josie Akana, vice president of franchising at L&L Hawaiian Barbecue. “Their commitment to quality, hospitality and community continues to drive our growth. This growth reflects both their dedication and the rising demand for Hawaii’s Plate Lunch, one of the fastest-growing comfort food categories in the country. As we expand, our focus remains on supporting our operators with training, systems…
