By Kady Weddle
From their first taste of Hawaiian cuisine, founders of Hawaiian Bros. Cameron and Tyler McNie knew they wanted to share the flavors of Hawaii with the mainland. With the April 28th grand opening of their eleventh location at Ward Parkway Shopping Center, 8805 Stateline Rd., they’ve done it again.
“We really loved the space,” said president Scott Ford. “When surveying for a new location, you just have a good feeling about one. There’s a lot of energy and excitement here…the outdoor patios, the traffic. We’ve received a lot of good feedback from the community.”
The new location soft-opened on April 26th and 27th with VIP events, offering free meals to locals.
“When hiring for new locations, there’s a lot of training,” said Executive Director of Marketing Amy Howarter. ”These VIP events are a way for us to say thank you to the community as well as ensure our employees are ready to start on Day 1 and aren’t caught off guard by the crowds.”
A Kansas city resident himself, co-founder Tyler McNie says this new location is a great spot in the middle of the city.
“There’s a lot of pull from areas that we haven’t gotten to reach yet,” McNie said.
The restaurant, with a menu that centers around the humble but hearty Hawaiian plate lunch, opened its first spot in Belton in 2018. Items include marinated teriyaki chicken, slow-roasted Kahlua pork, sweet and spicy grilled chicken, each served with rice or macaroni salad.
The McNie brothers have plans to open 21 new locations within the year, including seven additional locations in the metro area. Summer expansion plans include locations in Shawnee, Ward Parkway, Independence, Overland Park, Metro North, and Lenexa.
“Our fresh, flavorful food, and friendly Aloha spirit, is resonating with guests who are searching for something unique,” said Ford.
The authenticity comes full circle as the restaurant’s rewards program includes giving away trips to Hawaii, with three chances to win in 2021.