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FRANCHISE RESALES

Buy a L&L Hawaiian Barbecue Franchise

L&L Hawaiian Barbecue is the nation’s largest Hawaiian plate lunch franchise, tracing its roots to a small drive-inn on O’ahu that first opened in 1952. Eddie Flores Jr. and Johnson Kam acquired the original L&L Drive-Inn in 1976 and expanded it into a franchised restaurant group operating across Hawaii, the continental US, and Japan. The corporate entity is L&L Franchise, Inc.

The concept centers on the Hawaiian plate lunch: a serving of rice, macaroni salad, and an island-influenced entree from a menu that includes BBQ chicken, Chicken Katsu, Loco Moco, Spam Musubi, and Kalua Pork. The menu draws on Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, and Polynesian culinary traditions in a fast-casual format at everyday price points. Typical locations occupy 1,200 to 1,500 square feet, with some ranging up to 2,000 square feet.

L&L’s identity is built on the ‘ohana spirit and Hawaiian cultural authenticity, supporting a loyal repeat customer base across its locations. The Shaka Rewards consumer loyalty app offers a tiered points system encouraging return visits. The brand has expanded from its Hawaiian origins to serve customers across multiple US states and Japan.

Latest Resales

  • There are currently no L&L Hawaiian Barbecue resales available
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Why buy a L&L Hawaiian Barbecue Franchise?

To buy an L&L Hawaiian Barbecue franchise means entering a category with very few comparable competitors at scale. As the nation’s largest Hawaiian plate lunch brand, L&L holds essentially uncontested positioning in most US mainland markets. The franchise fee structure is a noted differentiator in QSR: royalties run 3-4% and advertising fees 1-2%, substantially below rates common in competing fast-casual systems.

The fast-casual model drives repeat revenue from a loyal customer base, supported by the Shaka Rewards loyalty app, which tracks visits and rewards through a tiered points system. L&L has appeared in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 for 15 consecutive years through 2025, ranking #165 overall and #1 in Hawaiian food. Multi-unit development is available with tiered franchise fee reductions for operators growing beyond their first location.

L&L Hawaiian Barbecue Franchise Costs & Information

  • Minimum Qualifications

    • Initial Franchise Fee

      $35,000

    • Initial Investment

      $210,190 - $839,860

  • Royalty

    • Royalty Fee

      2% - 4%

  • Training & Support

    • 120 hours on the job training

    • 18 hours classroom training

    • Ongoing support

    • Marketing support

L&L Hawaiian Barbecue – Additional  Information

  1. Training & Support

    New franchisees complete an initial training program in Honolulu, Hawaii at no charge, covering opening procedures, operational protocols, equipment operation, and marketing. Initial training spans 120 hours on-the-job and 18 hours of classroom instruction; franchisees cover their own travel and accommodation. Ongoing support includes access to the Operations Manual, field support, and marketing assistance. The Shaka Rewards consumer loyalty app is part of the franchisee operating toolkit. Resale buyers should confirm with L&L what onboarding and system access is available to incoming owners when a unit changes hands.

  2. Ideal Owner

    L&L Hawaiian Barbecue suits operators comfortable managing a team in a fast-paced restaurant environment and engaging naturally with community-oriented hospitality. The role centers on hands-on daily operations: staff scheduling, food quality oversight, and local customer relationships. Prior food service experience is useful though not required. Candidates who connect with the brand's Hawaiian cultural identity and want active community involvement fit the model well. The franchisor values people leadership and operational discipline.

  3. Recognition & Awards

    L&L Hawaiian Barbecue has appeared in Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 for 15 consecutive years through 2025, ranking #165 overall. The brand ranked #1 in Hawaiian food under Entrepreneur's Best of the Best for 2025, and held the #1 Asian food franchise position for eight years running (2017–2024). L&L also ranked #53 in Entrepreneur's Top Food Franchises in 2025. Yelp ranked L&L #21 among its Fastest Growing Brands for 2024, the only Hawaiian barbecue chain, and Nation's Restaurant News named it one of its "50 Regional Powerhouse Chains." L&L has received Hawaii's Best designation for more than ten consecutive years.

  4. Industry / Market

    The US fast casual restaurant market was valued at approximately $48.5 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow at a 6.4% CAGR through 2035, according to Expert Market Research. Consumer demand for culturally specific dining options continues to grow as US demographics shift and ethnic food preferences broaden. Hawaiian cuisine benefits from strong cultural recognition, with media interest supporting awareness of island-style dishes beyond Hawaii. Resale buyers should consider how well each location is embedded in its local market, as units in areas with established multicultural dining cultures tend to attract strong repeat traffic.

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