Hawaiian Bros Island Grill is riding a fresh wave into San Antonio, with plans for a new sit-down spot at 5746 UTSA Blvd inside The Merc, the mixed-use project rising near the University of Texas at San Antonio. The fast-casual chain is bringing its plate-lunch comfort food to students and nearby residents, although the company has not announced a firm grand opening date.
Where it is going
As reported by CultureMap San Antonio, Hawaiian Bros will move into space at 5746 UTSA Blvd inside The Merc, a planned 112-acre live-play district just off campus. The leasing page for The Merc shows phased retail delivery and construction progress photos as of February 2026, with pad sites and inline retail shells slated for the initial phase.
Chain background and local footprint
The concept was created by siblings Cameron and Tyler McNie, who opened the first Hawaiian Bros location in Belton, Missouri, in 2018, according to company materials. San Antonio Express-News notes the brand entered the Texas market in 2021 and currently runs a cafe in Live Oak and a takeout outpost at Lombrano Food Hall, with local franchisees pursuing additional locations around the area.
When it might open
A Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation filing cited by CultureMap San Antonio lists construction on the Merc location wrapping up in late October. As with most ground-up developments, that timeline could shift, and Hawaiian Bros has not yet released an exact opening date for the UTSA site.
What to expect
Diners can expect the chain's Plate Lunches, including Huli Huli Chicken and Luau Pig, plus sides like macaroni salad. The menu also features SPAM musubi and Dole soft serve, all detailed on the brand's online menu. Hawaiian Bros highlights made-from-scratch cooking and a tight, island-inspired lineup, so UTSA diners will not be wading through an encyclopedia-sized menu.
Why it matters for UTSA and the neighborhood
The Merc is pitching itself as a hub for students and northwest-side residents, with planned restaurants, green space and housing that could feed steady foot traffic to new eateries. Early tenant coverage has spotlighted Park Golf, a nine-hole, par-three entertainment course with a beer garden and food trucks, as a key anchor expected to bring evening and weekend activity to the site, according to AOL.
Hawaiian Bros' move into The Merc adds a familiar, relatively affordable lunch option to the growing retail mix just off campus. We will update when the chain or its local franchisees confirm an opening date and hiring plans.
