Chattanooga-based Sequoyah Hospitality is expanding the Hawaiian Bros Island Grill restaurant chain to Tennessee, starting with a store set to open in early October in the former Big Chicken space in Hixson.
Sequoyah Hospitality owners Jim Richards, Andrew Gardner and Brion Voges plan to open 18 locations of the island-themed, quick-service chain across the state, where they also have stores in development in Knoxville and Murfreesboro, Richards said by phone.
Hawaiian Bros specializes in Hawaiian comfort food, including traditional plate lunches featuring sweet and savory grilled chicken, seasoned vegetables or slow-roasted pork served with rice and macaroni salad. The chain also is known for its pineapple-based Dole soft serve and its speedy drive-through service, Richards said.
“It’s so fast it’s kind of ridiculous,” Gardner said by phone of the chain’s typical drive-through line. “It’s really convenient, so that location is perfect for that.”
Other offerings include wraps, salads and Spam musubi — an Asian-inspired snack featuring rice and pan-seared Spam glazed with teriyaki sauce and wrapped in dried seaweed, Richards said.