Hawaiian Bros Plans Five West Valley Restaurants

Franchise group Ohana Island Foods Inc. will operate the planned locations, with the first California restaurant expected in mid-to-late 2027.

Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Dining Out

Hawaiian Bros Plans Five West Valley Restaurants

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Hawaiian Bros Island Grill plans to open five restaurants in the West Valley, marking its expansion into California. The chain, which serves Hawaiian-style plate lunches, has grown to more than 80 restaurants across 14 states.

Why it matters

The planned openings extend the chain's footprint into California's San Fernando Valley, its first market in the state. Agreements already in place cover more than 350 additional restaurants across 20 states.

The five restaurants will be operated by Ohana Island Foods Inc., a franchise group led by Heather Goss and Terry Jones, who own and operate 16 Jack in the Box and Del Taco restaurants. Specific sites have not been announced, leaving the exact neighborhoods unconfirmed.

The players

Hawaiian Bros Island Grill

A Hawaiian-style plate lunch chain founded in 2018 that has grown to more than 80 restaurants across 14 states.

Ohana Island Foods Inc.

A franchise group that will operate the five planned West Valley restaurants.

Heather Goss

A restaurant operator who began her career with Jack in the Box in 2003 and became a franchise operator in 2015.

Terry Jones

A franchise operator who co-leads Ohana Island Foods Inc. and co-owns 16 Jack in the Box and Del Taco restaurants with Heather Goss.

The details

Hawaiian Bros specializes in Hawaiian-style plate lunches served with steamed white rice and macaroni salad or vegetables, prepared fresh in-house. The chain operates kitchens without fryers, freezers or microwaves.

2018: Hawaiian Bros Island Grill was founded.
2003: Heather Goss began her restaurant career with Jack in the Box.
2015: Heather Goss became a franchise operator.
Mid-to-late 2027: The first California location is expected to open in the West Valley.

Culture Shift

The expansion follows the franchisees' 2015 move into operating 16 Jack in the Box and Del Taco restaurants. It reflects a shift from legacy quick-service formats toward fast-casual concepts built around regional cuisine.

West Valley diners will gain a new plate lunch option once the planned restaurants open. The first California location is expected in mid-to-late 2027, so residents should not expect service before then.

The takeaway

Expansion announcements often precede site selection by months, so location details may still change before openings. Diners interested in the chain can track announced sites as the company releases them.