Iconic Hawai’i plate-lunch brand to expand into Edmonton, marking its first location north of the U.S. border while opening doors for franchise growth
HONOLULU, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, the Hawai’i-based restaurant concept known for its authentic plate lunches with more than 240 locations across the U.S. and Japan, will make its debut in Canada in 2027 through a five-unit franchise agreement with locally based Edmonton Ice District Ltd.
The agreement will bring L&L Hawaiian Barbecue to the province of Alberta, with its first restaurant planned for Edmonton.
“This milestone expansion reflects our confidence in bringing our aloha spirit and made-to-order comfort food of Hawai’i to new international markets,” said Elisia Flores, CEO of L&L Hawaiian Barbecue. “Our growth has always been driven by franchisees who understand their communities and share our commitment to introducing the authentic flavors of Hawai’i and our signature hospitality to new consumers.”
Founded in Honolulu in 1952, L&L Hawaiian Barbecue grew from a local favorite into a global brand, entering the continental U.S. in 1999 and now operating in 19 states and Japan. Guests can enjoy signature dishes such as BBQ Chicken, BBQ Short Ribs, BBQ Beef, Chicken Katsu, Loco Moco and the iconic SPAM® Musubi. Members of the Shaka Rewards loyalty program can also order ahead through the L&L app.
L&L’s franchise growth has earned national recognition, with the brand named to Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 and ranking No. 1 in the Asian food category each year since 2017.
Looking ahead, L&L Hawaiian Barbecue is actively recruiting qualified franchise partners to bring its signature plate lunch to more U.S. markets, including California, Colorado, Oregon, Utah, Idaho and Arizona.
For more information about franchise opportunities, visit llhawaiifranchise.com.
About L&L Hawaiian Barbecue
Founded in Honolulu in 1952 as L&L Dairy, L&L Hawaiian Barbecue grew from a local favorite into a global brand known as Hawaii’s Plate Lunch. After Eddie Flores Jr. and Johnson Kam became owners, the brand expanded across O’ahu and throughout the Hawaiian Islands before entering the continental U.S. in 1999. They coined the term “Hawaiian Barbecue” to help new audiences understand the classic Hawai’i comfort food shaped by the Islands’ diverse cultures.
Today, L&L has more than 240 locations worldwide and is led by Elisia Flores, who brings a second-generation perspective to the brand. Wherever you find us, L&L serves fresh, made-to-order plate lunches with a taste of Hawai’i and the aloha spirit.
For more information, visit hawaiianbarbecue.com. For franchise opportunities, visit llhawaiifranchise.com.
Media Contact:
Kendra Byrd
Kendra@spmcommunications.com
214-379-7000
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SOURCE L&L Hawaiian Barbecue
