Hawaiian Bros Signed Development Deal for Florida

The restaurant brand plans to open 52 locations throughout the state over the next six years.

Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Dining Out

Hawaiian Bros Signed Development Deal for Florida

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Hawaiian Bros has reached a development agreement with Southern Rock Restaurants to bring 52 new locations to Florida. The expansion will feature units across several major cities including Jacksonville, Gainesville, Tampa, and Orlando.

Why it matters

This partnership leverages Southern Rock Restaurants' extensive operational infrastructure to rapidly introduce the Hawaiian Bros brand to the Florida market. The deal represents a significant expansion effort that aims to establish a statewide footprint within a six-year window.

Southern Rock Restaurants, which operates nearly 200 locations across 13 states, is the lead partner for this development. The operator currently manages franchises for brands including McAlister's Deli and Dave's Hot Chicken.

The players

Hawaiian Bros

This restaurant brand specializes in Hawaiian-style plate lunches and is expanding its national presence through franchise partnerships.

Southern Rock Restaurants

This hospitality operator manages nearly 200 restaurant locations across 13 states and oversees franchises such as McAlister's Deli and Dave's Hot Chicken.

Max Piet

He serves as the CEO of Southern Rock Restaurants and brings over 35 years of industry experience to the leadership of the firm.

The details

Southern Rock Restaurants will utilize its existing corporate infrastructure to manage the rollout of the 52 new Hawaiian Bros units. The project is set to move forward with 24 restaurants expected to open in the first three years of the agreement.

Southern Rock Restaurants will open 24 locations in Florida within the next 3 years.
The full rollout of 52 restaurant units is scheduled for completion over the next 6 years.

Culture Shift

The expansion follows the industry trend of large restaurant operators utilizing multi-brand portfolios to leverage shared infrastructure. By integrating new brands into existing regional operations, companies can more efficiently scale and enter competitive markets like Florida.

Residents in Jacksonville, Gainesville, Tampa, and Orlando will see new dining options as the locations open over the coming years. This growth may also lead to local hiring opportunities as Southern Rock Restaurants establishes its footprint in these cities.

The takeaway

This agreement highlights how established restaurant operators facilitate rapid brand expansion by scaling across multiple states simultaneously. Readers should look for future announcements regarding specific site locations and opening timelines as the company builds out its Florida network.