Pasadena is getting its own slice of island comfort food. Fast-casual chain Hawaiian Bros has filed plans for a new restaurant at 4061 Spencer Highway, with construction penciled in for summer and a target completion in early November.
Project details and timeline
According to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation project page, the filing (TABS2026013826) lists "Hawaiian Bros - STR: 132" at 4061 Spencer Highway as a 2,643-square-foot remodel with an estimated cost of $260,000. The paperwork puts the scheduled start date at June 1, 2026, with a projected completion date of Nov. 1, 2026.
Franchisee and ownership
Local reporting first spotted the permit. What Now Houston notes that tenant Amit Patel is listed on the documents, and that outreach to Patel had not been returned by the time of publication. The TDLR record also names Sunco Realty LLC as the property owner and Excel Engineering as the design firm on the project.
What they will serve
Hawaiian Bros builds its brand around the island-style plate lunch, with staples like Huli Huli chicken, slow-roasted kalua pork, rice and macaroni salad. The company markets a fresh-prep approach that avoids freezers and fryers, which it frames as part of an effort to "spread the Aloha Spirit." The menu also leans into nostalgia with items such as Spam musubi and Dole soft serve alongside those plate lunches.
How this fits in the brand’s growth
Founded in 2018 by brothers Cameron and Tyler McNie, Hawaiian Bros has expanded across multiple states, and a company news release in 2024 put the brand at roughly 50 restaurants nationwide. The chain opened its first Greater Houston location at 6522 Westheimer in 2022, according to reporting in the Houston Chronicle. The Pasadena permit marks another move deeper into the metro area.
The Spencer Highway site
Commercial listings for 4061 Spencer Highway describe the spot as a second-generation restaurant space with drive-thru capacity and a patio, a natural fit for a quick-serve plate-lunch concept. The TDLR accessibility filing backs up the tenant name and project scope, details that point to a relatively modest, fast-casual style buildout rather than a full speculative redevelopment of the property.
What to expect next
With construction slated to begin June 1, 2026 and a projected Nov. 1 completion on file, Hawaiian Bros' Pasadena outpost is positioned to open this fall if the schedule holds. Expect more concrete details once the franchisee or corporate office confirms an official opening date or starts posting hiring and menu information for the new location, at which point we will update this story.
