Tuesday, February 14, 2023

[UPDATE] New King's Hawaiian Restaurant to Debut this Spring

This past November we shared news that the owners of King's Hawaiian were planning to open a new restaurant, then referred to as "Project Ohana," in the greater metro Atlanta area.  Today we are pleased to share that the company has revealed both the restaurant's name: "Hello Hilo" and its expected opening: "late spring."  The restaurant will be located on the corner of Limestone and Jesse Jewell Parkways (1881 Jesse Jewell Parkway) in Gainesville.   

The new fast-casual restaurant will offer "Hawaii-Inspired Eats & Treats" and offer both inside and outside dining, via a covered "lanai" (patio), in addition to a double drive-thru.  The restaurant gets its name from Hilo, Hawaii, where the Taira family, founders of King's Hawaiian, started their breadmaking business more than 70 years ago.  

Hello Hilo will offer "an oasis amidst the bustling intersection with lush greenery and a colorful exterior designed to evoke the architecture of Hawaii’s Big Island. The Hawaii-inspired menu will feature breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, a keiki (kids) menu, fun snacks and drinks, and sweet treats found only at Hello Hilo.        

“We want to continue sharing what makes Hawaii such a special place through Hawaii-inspired food and the ‘Aloha Spirit’ (an expression of caring and sharing that is an essential part of island culture),” said Courtney Taira, granddaughter of King’s Hawaiian founder Robert R. Taira. 

King's Hawaiian this past November revealed it was furthering their commitment to Georgia with plans to invest more than $85 million into a new facility across the street from their existing Oakwood bakery.  The new facility will house a 150,000 square foot bakery - with space for future expansion - and will enable King’s Hawaiian to continue to increase production significantly. The new facility is slated to open in fall 2023.

“The Northeast Georgia community has become part of our ohana (family) over the past decade. This is the right place to bring Hello Hilo to life." Taira added.   When it opens, Hello Hilo will create approximately 100 full-time and part-time jobs in Gainesville. 

In addition to the Gainesville area restaurant, another Hello Hilo is planned for East Cobb, where it will be built on an undeveloped outparcel of the former Cobb Place 12 Cinemas at the corner of Gordy Parkway and Shallowford Road.  According to comments on our site and conversations we've had with East Cobb residents, the community definitely seems excited about the upcoming eatery, but given the uniqueness of the building, plans are still being reviewed by the Cobb County Commissioners.  That said, it's incredibly unlikely that the restaurant actually opens in 2023, but hopefully things move forward soon to allow for an East Cobb opening sooner rather than later.  

Are you excited for the opening of Hello Hilo?  What Hawaiian food item are you most looking forward to seeing on the menu?  Where else in metro Atlanta would you like to see Hello Hilo open?

Please share your thoughts below.  

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

That's in Gainesville, not Oakwood

Anonymous said...

I'm excited! Can't wait for it to open in East Cobb! Yummy!

Anonymous said...

Bring one to Cleveland Georgia. We have nothing here but chicken 🤦‍♀️

Anonymous said...

SPAM

Anonymous said...

Can't wait for that East Cobb location to open... I'm intrigued 😊

Ham said...

Interesting in a way, but not really a fan of their bread. If they open one closer in, I'll check it out because it does sound unique.

Anonymous said...

Can’t wait! Would love one in McDonough , Ga! 🤙🏼

Anon said...

The concept sounds very good. As East Cobb is still too far to drive,. looking forward to more locations ITP.

Anonymous said...

Spam fried rice, loco moco, garlic shrimp and chicken, Kalbi ribs

Anonymous said...

LocoMoko

Anonymous said...

The East Cobb location they have chosen is not the appropriate location for such a restaurant. It needs to be in a shopping center or mall contained area.

Anonymous said...

Spam musubi, Kalua pork, pipikala, laulau! Can’t wait!

Anonymous said...

Yes!

Anonymous said...

No good food in cleveland

Anonymous said...

Hard to get excited when they have no website, publish no menu and yet opening date is so near. That being said, I'm hopeful.

Anonymous said...

I heard a rumor that Scott Dixon may have his hands in Hello Hilo. If that is the case, say goodbye to high quality ingredients and say hello to the Sysco truck.

I have never been remotely impressed by his restaurant.

What I hope will happen is that Hello Hilo will be a light version of King’s Hawaiian Bakery restaurant in Torrance, CA.

The lack of decent Hawaiian food in Atlanta is disappointing. Waikikie is barely passable, L&L is too far away in the boonies and the best Hawaiian food in Georgia requires a drive to Augusta.

Anonymous said...

Who are the people complaining about traffic?!? Get over it!

Anonymous said...

Just a rumor. No Scott Dixon. The menu is from scratch. It will be delicious.

Anonymous said...

Just announced they pulled out of the east Cobb deal.

Anonymous said...

Lived in Keaau, HI, right outside of Hilo for 12 years. Miss the food so very much. Looking forward to saimin, sushi, poke, spam musubi, etc.

Anonymous said...

Clyde's is awesome!

Anonymous said...

I see they have a drive-thru. Road by it yesterday and looks like t could open up within the next month.

Anonymous said...

What type of sweet treats do you think they will offer?

Anonymous said...

Awesome food in Helen

Anonymous said...

Please build a Hello Hilo in Alpharetta GA too!!!! Off Windward Pwy! It would be a huge success!

Anonymous said...

When is opening day?

Anonymous said...

Musubi! 😜

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...