The story behind L&L Hawaiian Barbecue

What’s the story behind the Hawaiian barbecue trend?

This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast A Deeper Dive features Elisia Flores, the CEO of the 200-plus unit franchise, L&L Hawaiian Barbecue. 

L&L is rapidly growing and helped pioneer the idea of Hawaiian barbecue, though Flores explains exactly what that is. The chain’s system sales grew more than 10% last year, according to Technomic, and it has plans to continue to expand through franchising over the next several years. 

We talk about the company’s story, and the challenges of taking a Hawaii-based concept to the mainland, and about teaching consumers here about Hawaiian cuisine.

But we also talk about issues of family ownership. Flores took over as CEO from her father, who had owned and run the concept for decades. We talk about the challenges and opportunities of family ownership and why Flores needed to work outside the business before she came back to work for her father. 

We’re talking Hawaiian barbecue on A Deeper Dive, so please check it out.