Hawaiian Bros Island Grill is bringing its island-inspired fare to the San Fernando Valley. Ohana Island Foods, Inc., led by father-daughter franchise operators Heather Goss and Terry Jones, has signed a five-unit development agreement to open restaurants across the West San Fernando Valley, marking the first California development commitment for the fast-growing restaurant concept.
For Goss, bringing Hawaiian Bros to the San Fernando Valley marks a new chapter in her restaurant career and an opportunity to further invest in the community she has long called home. A San Fernando Valley native, Goss joined Jack in the Box in 2003 and rose through restaurant operations and leadership before becoming a franchise operator in 2015. Today, she and her father own and operate 16 Jack in the Box and Del Taco restaurants across Ventura County, the San Fernando Valley and Pasadena. Jones holds nearly 40 years of restaurant industry experience, bringing extensive multi-unit ownership and operational expertise as the family prepares to introduce Hawaiian Bros to California.
“Hawaiian Bros stood out to us because of the quality of the food, simplicity of the operations and strong sense of family behind the brand,” said Heather Goss, President of Ohana Island Foods, Inc. “Having spent years building our restaurant business in the San Fernando Valley, we see a great opportunity to introduce a fresh, unique dining concept to the area. Bringing Hawaiian Bros’ island-inspired food and hospitality to the community where I grew up and still live makes this opportunity especially meaningful.”
“Heather started on the line in a Jack in the Box and worked her way up to running her own restaurants and multi-unit portfolio. That path is exactly what we look for,” said Grant Kreutzer, Senior Vice President of Franchise Development at Hawaiian Bros. “She knows how these restaurants run from every seat, and she’s opening them in the community she grew up in. Multi-unit franchisees based in California have been asking for Hawaiian Bros development opportunities, and we couldn’t have picked a better team to introduce us there.”
Founded in 2018, Hawaiian Bros has built its growth around a streamlined restaurant model and a menu inspired by the traditional Hawaiian plate lunch. Its kitchens operate without fryers, freezers or microwaves, supporting consistent food preparation and efficient restaurant operations. Guests can choose from chicken glazed with sweet, savory or spicy sauces, or smoked pork served alongside steamed white rice and macaroni salad or vegetables, all prepared fresh in-house. The menu also features tropical Dole Soft Serve for dessert.
Hawaiian Bros now has 80+ restaurants across 14 states, with the majority franchisee-owned and operated. Its development pipeline includes more than 350 additional restaurants under agreements spanning 20 states and over 75 markets, supported by 13 multi-unit franchisees.
For more information about Hawaiian Bros and its franchise opportunities, including how to apply and claim your territory, visit www.hawaiianbros.com/franchising.
