Hawaiian Bros Island Grill is gearing up to bring its island-style plate lunches to Austin Highway in northeast San Antonio, where a standalone restaurant is now rising near the Terrell Heights neighborhood. The project is set to become the brand’s first full sit-down location inside San Antonio city limits, building on the chain’s earlier area outposts. Company and franchise representatives have not yet announced a grand-opening date or hiring timeline beyond what appears in public construction filings.
Construction timeline and permit details
According to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, a registered project for "Hawaiian Bros" lists the site at 1434 Austin Hwy with construction slated to begin on February 1, 2026 and wrap on May 1, 2026, at an estimated cost of $1.6 million. The filing names Rock Hawaiian LLC as the owner and Excel Engineering, Inc. as the design firm for a ground-up, 2,337-square-foot quick-service restaurant. The project status on the TDLR page is marked as "Review Complete," with the usual caveat that official timelines can shift.
Chain background and San Antonio footprint
As reported by CultureMap San Antonio, Hawaiian Bros was founded in Belton, Missouri by siblings Cameron and Tyler McNie and has rapidly expanded across multiple states. CultureMap notes the brand first entered the San Antonio area with a 2022 café in Live Oak, then followed up with a takeout-focused spot inside Lombrano Food Hall in 2024. Local franchise materials have previously pointed to additional San Antonio locations in the works, though exact counts and timelines have shifted over the past year.
What to expect on the menu
Hawaiian Bros centers its menu on plate lunches built around two scoops of rice, a scoop of macaroni salad and a protein. Signature items include Huli Huli Chicken, Luau (kalua) Pork, Molokai Chicken, SPAM® Musubi and Dole soft-serve. The Hawaiian Bros official menu outlines the plates, bowls, sliders and sides diners can expect once the Austin Highway restaurant opens.
Location context and local impact
The Austin Highway corridor around Terrell Heights is a long-running commercial strip where quick-service concepts and lunchtime comfort food see steady traffic, a setting that could line up neatly with Hawaiian Bros’ format. Local reporting and permit summaries describe the build as a 2,337-square-foot quick-service restaurant, placing it squarely among other fast-casual options in the area, according to What Now San Antonio and public records.
When doors might open
The May 1, 2026 completion date listed on the TDLR registration suggests construction could wrap in early May if the schedule holds, with inspections and final permitting to follow. Hawaiian Bros corporate and the local operator have not yet shared a firm opening date or hiring details, and additional information is expected once the company confirms its next steps.
