Hawaiian Bros Island Grill Brings Hawaiian Cuisine to Springfield

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Hawaiian Bros Island Grill, a Kansas City-based restaurant chain specializing in Hawaiian cuisine, has opened a new location in Springfield, Missouri. The restaurant, which took over a vacant Wendy's site, is located on East Battlefield Road near the National Avenue intersection. The opening has been met with enthusiasm from locals, with lines of cars forming as people come to try the restaurant's signature 'plate lunches' featuring meat, rice, and macaroni salad.

Why it matters

The arrival of Hawaiian Bros Island Grill in Springfield represents the continued expansion of the Kansas City-based chain into the Ozarks region. The restaurant's focus on Hawaiian-inspired cuisine and 'plate lunch' offerings provides a new dining option for local residents and visitors, diversifying the food landscape in the area.

The details

Hawaiian Bros Island Grill opened its new Springfield location earlier this week at 1272 E. Battlefield Rd., taking over a former Wendy's site. The restaurant, which was established in 2018, is known for its 'plate lunch' menu items that typically include a protein, rice, and macaroni salad. The Springfield location is part of the company's broader expansion plans for the Ozarks region, which were announced in 2023 and include new restaurants in Joplin, Wichita, Bentonville, Fayetteville, and Springdale, in addition to the Springfield opening.

• Hawaiian Bros Island Grill announced its Ozarks expansion plans in 2023.
• The new Springfield location opened earlier this week on March 26, 2026.