L&L Hawaiian Barbecue
Food & Beverage · Asian
Description
What is L&L Hawaiian Barbecue?
At the heart of L&L's menu are their iconic dishes like Chicken Katsu, served with their piquant signature sauce, and the famous Kalua Pork with Cabbage, slow-roasted to perfection. The restaurant is particularly known for its BBQ plates, which come with the traditional Hawaiian sides of steamed rice and their celebrated macaroni salad – a customer favorite that keeps people coming back for more.
What sets L&L apart is their commitment to fresh, made-to-order preparations and generous portions that offer excellent value. Their menu features beloved Hawaiian classics like Loco Moco, SPAM® Musubi, and various seafood combinations that provide customers with an authentic taste of the islands. The franchise has successfully maintained the casual, friendly atmosphere that characterizes Hawaiian dining culture, making each location feel welcoming and accessible.
L&L Hawaiian Barbecue has grown from its humble beginnings to become a recognized brand in the fast-casual dining segment, with locations across the United States and internationally. Their success is built on consistently delivering quality Hawaiian comfort food, maintaining high customer service standards, and creating an inviting atmosphere that brings a piece of paradise to every neighborhood they serve.
- Original Hawaiian barbecue established since 1976
- 213 active units demonstrating proven scalability
- 60% lower minimum investment than Asian sector average
- Authentic Hawaiian plate lunch concept with signature dishes
- Nearly 50 years of operational experience and brand development
- Unique positioning in fast-casual Asian dining market
Location Analysis
Where L&L Hawaiian Barbecue wins
The brand's significant presence in coastal states suggests successful targeting of markets with higher Asian-American populations and consumers seeking diverse dining options. Performance data indicates optimal locations in mid to high-density urban areas with strong lunch crowds and significant Asian-American demographics. Strong performance in secondary California markets, such as Fresno, exemplifies successful market positioning in developing regions.
Growth opportunities exist in untapped Western and Southwestern markets, particularly in states adjacent to current strongholds. Ideal locations feature proximity to business districts, universities, or retail centers, with demographic profiles including young professionals and diverse ethnic populations. While the brand shows strong performance in established markets, significant expansion potential remains in the Mountain and Southwest regions, where Hawaiian-Asian fusion concepts are underrepresented.
For new franchisees, priority markets include emerging Asian-American population centers in Texas, Arizona, and Nevada, where the concept can establish early-mover advantage while leveraging existing supply chain infrastructure.
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Financial Analysis
The numbers behind L&L Hawaiian Barbecue
The 213-unit system demonstrates substantial operational maturity since its 1976 establishment, providing nearly five decades of brand development and operational refinement. This extensive operating history suggests proven business model viability and comprehensive franchisor support infrastructure. The Hawaiian barbecue concept occupies a unique niche within Asian fast-casual dining, featuring authentic plate lunch offerings including chicken katsu, loco moco, and kalua pork.
Note: Revenue data is not available for this franchise, limiting financial performance analysis compared to the sub-sector average of $377,891. Prospective investors should request additional financial performance representations during due diligence.
Ideal investors should possess sufficient liquid capital to cover the investment range plus working capital requirements, with restaurant or multi-unit retail experience preferred. The concept's plate lunch format requires understanding of Asian-American dining preferences and operational efficiency in fast-casual environments. Prospective investors must review the complete FDD and conduct thorough due diligence to understand specific financial requirements, territory rights, and operational obligations.
Financing partners
Vetted partners, tailored to franchisees
Your Franzy advisor can connect you with these partners later in the process — competitive rates, specialized in franchise financing.
FranFund
CRF USA
Nonprofit SBA lender; provides financing for franchise acquisitions, startups, and expansion.
First Bank of the Lake
Pension Pros
FDD Item 7
Initial investment range
Per FDD Item 7, total initial investment ranges from $151,700 to $613,000. The midpoint $382,350 is what most franchisees report at signing — financing typically reduces cash-at-close by 80–90%. Knowing the investment range helps you plan confidently and ensure you're fully prepared to make the leap.
Growth over time
Franchise footprint
2023 Franchise Disclosure
FDD documents
Below are items 2, 3, 4, 7, 11 and 19 for L&L Hawaiian Barbecue's 2023 FDD. The complete FDD is delivered to you directly by the franchisor, per the FTC Franchise Rule.
Connect to download Items 2, 3, 4, and 11 — direct from the franchisor.
Buyer FAQs
Frequently asked questions
The initial investment for a L&L Hawaiian Barbecue franchise typically ranges between $151,700.00 and $613,000.00. This includes the franchise fee, equipment, real estate, and other startup costs. To get a detailed breakdown and better understand the financial requirements, we recommend scheduling a call with the Franzy team. We'll walk you through the specifics and answer any questions you might have. For more detailed information, refer to the financial sections of the FDD.
Disclaimer. The information provided on this page is based on the latest Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) that is publicly available and that we have on record, which was issued in 2023. This information is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal, financial, or business advice. We make no guarantees or claims regarding the completeness or accuracy. For the most current and detailed information, we recommend consulting the franchisor directly for the most recent FDD and regarding any questions that you may have about the information provided.
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